Apple News Today: Detailed Summary of Episode Released on July 30, 2025

Host: Shemitah Basu

1. Russian Earthquake Triggers Pacific Tsunami Alerts

In today's episode, Shemitah Basu opens with a significant natural disaster event: a massive earthquake off Russia's coast has set off tsunami warnings across the Pacific.

Key Details:

• Magnitude and Impact: The earthquake registered a magnitude of 8.8, ranking it as the sixth strongest earthquake ever recorded according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
• Affected Regions: Tsunami waves prompted evacuations in Hawaii, Alaska, California, and Japan.
  • Hawaii: Experienced coastal flooding, leading thousands to seek refuge in evacuation shelters.
  • California: Tsunami waves reached heights between 1 to 3.5 feet above normal tide levels, as reported by NOAA.
  • Japan: Saw waves up to 4 feet above the tide, a concerning figure given the country's history with tsunamis.

Shemitah notes, "The eastern coast of Japan has vivid memories of the last major tsunami event, the 2011 earthquake, a magnitude 9.0 that triggered a devastating tsunami resulting in over 15,000 deaths."

Russian Impact:

• In Russia, the nearest region to the quake felt prolonged rumbling, with tsunami waves reaching up to 16 feet, resulting in flooding and injuries.
• Visual reports from state media showcased large storage containers floating in water, and a kindergarten sustained damage, although it was empty at the time.

Despite the severity, Shemitah assures listeners, "As of this morning, major damage and injuries have mostly been averted, but tsunami waves can continue to last for a day, and this is a developing story."

2. EPA Considers Rolling Back Environmental Protection Policies

A major segment of the episode delves into the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed rollback of foundational environmental protection policies, a move that could significantly hinder U.S. climate change mitigation efforts.

Discussion Highlights:

• Policy Repeal: The EPA aims to repeal the scientific foundation that has allowed the U.S. to regulate pollutants and carbon emissions effectively.

Shemitah introduces Ari Natter, an energy and environment reporter for Bloomberg News, who provides expert insight:

“They’ve since used that authority to make all kinds of regulations for everything from factories to power plants to oil wells to emissions from vehicles.”
— Ari Natter (03:14)

Ari emphasizes the gravity of the situation:

"This is probably the biggest blow that Trump can do to rein in the EPA's ability to fight climate change. So, I mean, it's fair to say the environmental community is just horrified, especially."
— Ari Natter (03:37)

Context and Implications:

• Scientific Consensus: For decades, substantial research has linked carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases to adverse public health outcomes.
• Economic Arguments: The Trump administration contends that repealing these regulations could save American taxpayers over a trillion dollars.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin articulates the administration's stance:

“Last November, the American public spoke. They elected President Trump President of the United States. That was the will of the American public. And when they voted, they asked for, demanded that an agency like the EPA would be cognizant of their economic concerns, that all agencies would be applying common sense.”
— Lee Zeldin (04:32)

Counterpoints:

• Environmental and Economic Benefits: Policies limiting greenhouse gas emissions have proven beneficial for both the environment and the economy. For instance, data shows that new passenger vehicles in the U.S. emit 24% less climate pollution than they did in 2011, prior to implementing tailpipe regulations.
• Projected Benefits: The EPA's 2024 report projects that limiting emissions from cars and trucks could generate over $2 trillion in net benefits over the next three decades.

The proposed rollback is subject to a review process, including a 45-day public comment period, before potentially being finalized next year. Previous legal challenges to similar policies have not succeeded, with courts upholding the EPA's authority.

3. Nationwide Air Traffic Controller Shortage Aggravated by Extreme Heat

Shemitah Basu shifts focus to a critical issue affecting national safety: the shortage of air traffic controllers amidst extreme weather conditions, contributing to operational challenges and safety concerns.

Incident Highlight:

• January Collision: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is set to interrogate officials from the Army and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding a fatal collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines passenger plane over the Potomac River, resulting in 67 fatalities. This incident marks the first fatal commercial airline crash in the U.S. in over 15 years.

Air Traffic Control Challenges:

• Staffing Shortages: The FAA currently faces a deficit of approximately 3,000 air traffic controllers nationwide.
• Training Attrition: According to the Washington Post's reporting shared by Shemitah, the high dropout rate among trainees is a significant factor. One in five trainees fail to get certified at their initial training facility, with many not attempting certification again.

Transportation reporter Ian Duncan provides deeper insights:

“The culture is quite sort of insular. I would say it can be even quite hostile to the sort of extent that the trainers are telling these trainees that you're going to fail, like you're not going to measure up. And so, not surprisingly, people are put into this environment and a lot of them really struggle.”
— Ian Duncan (07:38)

Trainee Experiences:

• Ryan Higgins: A trainee from California who opted out due to witnessing a stressful and hostile training environment, leading him to question the sustainability of the career amidst understaffing and excessive overtime demands.

“He just decides it's not for him. He didn't fail. He just decided to walk away and quit.”
— Ian Duncan (08:13)

• Regina Mendez Scott: Faced multiple adversities, including sexual harassment and racial abuse during her training. After a wrongful termination and a court-ordered reinstatement, she chose to quit, expressing the untenable conditions she endured.

“No one could have endured what I have endured.”
— Regina Mendez Scott

FAA's Response and Future Plans: The FAA acknowledges the challenges in their training processes and is committed to improving worker retention by:

• Enhancing training programs.
• Offering bonuses as incentives for trainees reaching specific milestones.

4. Additional Stories Covered

While the primary focus remains on the natural disaster, EPA policies, and air traffic control shortages, Shemitah also touches upon several other noteworthy events:

• York City Mass Shooting: The city experienced its most severe mass shooting in 25 years, resulting in multiple casualties, including an off-duty police officer and an NFL employee. Investigations are probing potential targeting of the NFL headquarters.

• Ghislaine Maxwell's Congressional Testimony: Maxwell indicates willingness to testify before Congress under specific conditions, including immunity and pre-approved questions. However, the House Oversight Committee remains steadfast in not considering immunity.

• Summer-Induced Seasonal Affective Disorder: The Atlantic's exploration reveals a rise in summer seasonal affective disorder, attributed to extreme heat and increased indoor activity due to ubiquitous air conditioning. This emerging psychological health concern requires further research and understanding.

Conclusion

Today's episode of Apple News Today presents a comprehensive overview of significant current events, ranging from natural disasters and environmental policy shifts to critical infrastructure challenges and societal issues. Through expert interviews, firsthand accounts, and authoritative data, Shemitah Basu ensures listeners are well-informed on topics shaping the present and future landscape.

For more in-depth coverage, visit the Apple News app and stay updated with the latest developments.