The Excerpt Tsunami waves reach Hawaii and West Coast hours after magnitude 8.8 earthquake
Jul 30, 2025
Massive tsunami waves follow a powerful 8.8 earthquake, prompting swift evacuations in Hawaii. The complexities of Ghislaine Maxwell’s congressional testimony and her plea for immunity are revealed. Environmental policy faces upheaval as the EPA plans to reverse findings on climate pollution's health risks. Amidst rising electricity consumption, libraries grapple with severe funding cuts and their impact on e-book access. Advocacy efforts are underway to protect library funding and counter book bans.
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Major Earthquake Spurs Tsunami Alerts
- A magnitude 8.8 earthquake near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula triggered Pacific-wide tsunami alerts, including Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast.
- Despite initial fears, Hawaiian officials reported no significant or damaging tsunami waves upon arrival.
Maxwell’s Conditions to Testify
- Ghislaine Maxwell is willing to testify before Congress but sets strict conditions including immunity and prior receipt of questions.
- She wants to wait until pending appeals conclude and seeks to prepare documents supporting her testimony.
Congress Probes Trafficking and Plea Deals
- Congress aims to use Maxwell's testimony to examine sex trafficking enforcement and scrutinize past plea deals like Epstein's 2008 deal.
- Maxwell challenges her prosecution, claiming a plea deal shielded co-conspirators including herself from charges.