The Book Review - This Reporter Can Tell Us What Nuclear Apocalypse Looks Like
Imagine, if you will, that for unknown reasons North Korea has just launched a nuclear bomb at the United States. What happens next?
The journalist Annie Jacobsen has imagined exactly that, and spent more than a decade interviewing dozens of experts while mastering the voluminous literature on the subject — some of it declassified only in recent years — for her 2024 book “Nuclear War: A Scenario,” which walks readers through the 72 minutes from launch to global annihilation. In the Book Review last year, Barry Gewen said the book was “gripping,” and declared it essential reading “if you want to understand the complex and disturbing details that go into a civilization-destroying decision.”
This week, Jacobsen visits the podcast to talk about her book and why she wrote it, as well as offering some hope that catastrophe can be avoided. “I wanted to write a book that showed in absolutely appalling detail how horrific nuclear war would be,” she tells the host Gilbert Cruz. “And so when people say to me either ‘I could barely read your book, but I had to read it.’ or ‘I had to read it in one sitting, I was terrified, I was horrified,’ I believe I did my job.”
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It Could Happen Here - Executive Disorder: White House Weekly #28
The gang talk about Texas Dems fleeing to Illinois to stop gerrymandering, RFK Jr. canceling mRNA contracts, and how ICE is spending its new big budget. Plus, the return of Tariff Talk.
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/01/economy/tariff-more-expensive
https://www.cnn.com/business/live-news/us-tariffs-take-effect-08-07-25
https://www.cnn.com/business/live-news/us-tariffs-take-effect-08-07-25#cme17o5l400003b6ns7mwdwnv
https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/06/tech/apple-investment-us-trump
https://www.cnn.com/business/live-news/us-tariffs-take-effect-08-07-25
https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/06/tech/apple-investment-us-trump
https://bsky.app/profile/yougov.co.uk/post/3lvnr5fixc22l
https://www.facebook.com/EpiscopalNY/
https://apnews.com/article/florida-immigration-alligator-alcatraz-27fbae217427be730f589323df7cf656
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https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70CMSW25P00000040_7012_-NONE-_-NONE-
https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70CTD025FR0000036_7012_NNG15SC82B_8000
https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70CMSD25P00000047_7012_-NONE-_-NONE-
https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70CMSW25P00000042_7012_-NONE-_-NONE-
https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/03/texas-quorum-breaks-history/
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https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/04/nasa-china-space-station-duffy-directives-00492172
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
array(3) { [0]=> string(184) "https://www.omnycontent.com/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/78d30acb-8463-4c40-a5ae-ae2d0145c9ff/b9c8290d-5e43-4479-bc29-b332011c8dad/image.jpg?t=1754586999&size=Large" [1]=> string(10) "image/jpeg" [2]=> int(0) }The World in Brief from The Economist - Israel’s security cabinet mulls Gaza occupation; OpenAI launches GPT-5, and more
Big Technology Podcast - OpenAI COO Brad Lightcap: GPT-5’s Capabilities, Why It Matters, and Where AI Goes Next
Brad Lightcap is the Chief Operating Officer of OpenAI. Lightcap joins Big Technology to discuss the launch of GPT-5, how it works, what sets it apart from previous models, and whether it's AGI. We also cover scaling laws, post-training breakthroughs, enterprise adoption, health care applications, pricing strategy, and the company’s profitability outlook. Hit play for a front-row seat to OpenAI’s thinking on the future of AI.
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Global News Podcast - Netanyahu divides Israelis and allies with plan to occupy Gaza
The families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza have joined protests outside a crucial meeting of Israel's security cabinet in Jerusalem. It's been convened by Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss plans for the Israeli army to occupy the entire Gaza Strip. The proposal is reported to focus initially on Gaza City, whose one million residents would be relocated further south. The plan has drawn criticism from the head of the Israeli military, Eyal Zamir, who says it would endanger the lives of soldiers and hostages. Also: Kremlin says Trump and Putin to meet in coming days to discuss Ukraine, and OpenAI launches new chatbot GPT-5.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
CBS News Roundup - 08/07/2025 | World News Roundup Late Edition
President Trump's sweeping new tariffs kick in today, and while the government says the money will roll in, economists aren't so sure. Two Pennsylvania state troopers shot after responding to welfare check.U.S. Air Force to deny retirement benefits to transgender members forced to leave. CBS News Correspondent Jennifer Keiper with tonight's World News Roundup.
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