Cargo Ship Collision Causes Baltimore Bridge's Collapse | NPR News Now

On March 8, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 was en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur when it disappeared from radar, never to be seen again. While the craft was never found, investigative theories point to an unexpected culprit.

Dive into a gripping retelling of maritime disaster with "Stuff You Should Know" hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant as they dissect the harrowing saga of the Costa Concordia. On a voyage reminiscent of a 1998 Las Vegas spectacle, the ill-fated luxury liner set sail with 4,229 people on board, only to succumb to calamity off the coast of Giglio. Through a blend of narrative and scrutiny, the hosts unveil how a sail-by salute, a captain's misguided pride, and deactivated navigational aids converged in tragedy.

The podcast delves beyond the immediate catastrophe, exploring the chaotic aftermath, the heroes who emerged amidst despair, and the far-reaching environmental and financial tolls. Clark and Bryant confront the infamy of Captain Francesco Schettino and the extensive salvage operation that followed. Listeners will be captivated by the storytelling that brings light to dark depths, as "Stuff You Should Know" honors its commitment to making sense of complexity and impacting lives, one episode at a time.

In an emotionally charged episode of "Rotten Mango," Stephanie Soo and her co-host take listeners through the heart-wrenching details of the Sewol ferry disaster, where over 300 people, mostly high school students, tragically lost their lives on a trip to Jeju Island. The podcast examines the chronological events that lead to the ship's sinking, the failure of cargo securement due to overloading, and the consequent tipping point that set the stage for disaster. They discuss the immediate reactions, heroic acts of bravery, and the chilling farewell messages from students to their loved ones, painting a vivid and heartbreaking picture of the tragedy.

Beyond the recounting of that ill-fated day, "Rotten Mango" explores the depths of human error and systemic failures responsible for the calamity. The episode dissects the negligence of companies prioritizing profit over safety, the inadequate crisis response from authorities, and the incidents of regulatory lapses that contributed to the chaos amidst the crisis. With a focus on the psychological toll on survivors and the national mourning that followed, the podcast offers a profound reflection on accountability and the resilience of the human spirit. As they discuss the aftermath and the cultural response to the disaster, Stephanie Soo and her co-host challenge listeners to contemplate the societal behavior and leadership actions that can either hinder or help in moments of dire need.

Dive into the complexities of global diplomacy and American justice with NPR News Now, as Korva Coleman, Antony Blinken, Joel Rose, and Roberto Roldan break down some of today's most pressing issues. From the tensions in the Middle East to the gritty details of high-profile lawsuits, tune in for meticulous coverage and insightful analysis. Listen as Blinken's efforts to forge peace in the wake of tragedy in Gaza, coupled with the CIA's campaign to return American hostages, highlight the U.S.’s multifaceted approach to international crises.

Transitioning back to domestic soil, Coleman examines the legal entanglements of former President Trump amidst serious accusations about his financial dealings, while Roldan immerses listeners in the emotionally charged trial stemming from the death of Breonna Taylor. Amidst the backdrop of these trials, Rose discusses the tangible benefits of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, spotlighting the leaps forward aimed at revitalizing the Northeast's aging transit systems and the long-term ramifications of these infrastructural commitments. With NPR News Now, stay informed on the pivotal developments that shape our world and the intricacies of the legal battles that could make history.

Although Trump has long touted his business savvy, tax records reveal that his claims of success are hollow.

In a meticulous unraveling of a high-profile lawsuit, Michael Barbaro of The Daily podcast, alongside Jonah E. Bromwich, examines former President Donald Trump's legal entanglement in New York City. The detailed discussion cuts through the complexities of the civil case charging Trump with the inflation of assets to secure favorable financial deals. As they probe into the roots of the legal charges sparked by Michael Cohen's congressional bombshells, listeners get a gritty look at the groundwork of a lawsuit that could have sweeping ramifications for the Trump family.

The episode delves deep into the pre-trial escalations, including Judge Arthur Engoron's sharp critique of Trump's financial disclosures and the testimonies of Trump's sons—Donald Jr. and Eric—that seem to reveal a casual disdain for the severe nature of their situation. With Letitia James at the front of this legal pursuit, we witness Donald Trump's own tempestuous behavior in court, offering a glimpse into the potential cracks in his defense facade. As The Daily journeys through these stormy legal waters, it also casts an eye on the broader political landscape—observing shifts in U.S. domestic politics and international commentary by Benjamin Netanyahu on Israeli security, framing this epic saga within a much larger context of global relevance.

According to Gen. H.R. McMaster, the United States views the world through a self-centered lens, assuming that its policy decisions are the main driving force behind global events. Because of this distorted perspective, the US has lost influence on the global stage at a time when authoritarian aggression is on the rise. In Battlegrounds, McMaster, who was US national security adviser in 2017-18, contends that American leaders must learn to see the world through the eyes of the US's adversaries in order to defend against foreign threats and compete in the modern global landscape.

In this guide, we’ll explore McMaster’s criticism of the assumptions driving US foreign policy, his assessment of the threats America faces, and the steps he believes the US must take. We’ll compare McMaster’s views with those of other experts on diplomacy, while placing his assessments in their larger context and updating some of his information based on events since the book’s publication.

The 21st century will bring changes and challenges unlike any humans have encountered before. Globalism and technological innovations are changing the structures of societies worldwide—and the changes are happening quickly. If people don’t face these challenges and help shape the future, the world could have a class of obsolete workers whose jobs have been automated and people could lose their ability to make their own decisions. In 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, Yuval Noah Harari highlights the biggest challenges in the modern world, and he offers advice on making sense of and navigating such transitional times.

In this summary, you'll learn how algorithms like Netflix movie recommendations are teaching you to distrust your own judgment, why religion can’t solve 21st-century challenges, and how automation will threaten the jobs of humans in every industry.

In Blowout, journalist and MSNBC commentator Rachel Maddow aims to expose the corruption and exploitation underlying the oil and gas industry. Pointing the finger primarily at Russian politicians like Vladimir Putin and American energy magnates like former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, Maddow contends that over the past 40 years, the industry has wreaked havoc on the environment, developing economies in the third world, and international relations, especially in Eastern Europe. Ultimately, she argues that only full transparency and strict environmental regulation can protect the planet from devastating accidents and corporate greed.

In this guide, we’ll discuss her evidence for how a handful of companies and politicians have exploited oil and gas reserves worldwide, both for profit and to serve dangerous political ends. We’ll also elaborate on how oil and gas have damaged the environment (perhaps permanently), how American energy policy continued to evolve under the Trump and Biden presidencies, and how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 further destabilized the international energy market.

Delve into the shadows of power and secrecy on the Shawn Ryan Show, where Shawn Ryan and investigative journalist Nick Bryant unravel the sinister threads of Jeffrey Epstein's network and the egregious world of child trafficking. In this gripping exchange, the two truth-seekers embark on an unwavering quest to expose the uncomfortable realities that mainstream media often shuns, pointing to external pressures that may shape news coverage. With a focus that transcends individual scandals, Ryan and Bryant’s conversation serves as a beacon of integrity in investigative journalism.

Nick Bryant's relentless pursuit of hidden stories showcases the effort and challenges faced by journalists grappling with society's dark facets. By recounting the harrowing journey from the Finders cult to the Franklin scandal, Bryant's narrative exemplifies the systemic failures and governmental complicity that enable such heinous activities to persist. Offering insights into his personal trials and the broader implications of high-level corruption, this episode of the Shawn Ryan Show is a testament to the enduring struggle for justice and the unwavering power of persistent advocacy.

In the latest episode of NPR News Now, delve into the complex world of legal matters and courtroom drama as Korva Coleman and Ryan Lucas provide insights into the serious federal legal challenges facing Hunter Biden. Hear about the federal tax evasion charges brought against him in California, and the defense mounted by his lawyer, who argues that his last name may be unduly influencing the legal proceedings. Meanwhile, follow Quinn Klinefelter's report on the sentencing of Ethan Crumbly, looking into how the Michigan judge weighs the grim nature of the crime against the potential for rehabilitation.

Korva Coleman returns with somber news from the Middle East, spotlighting the detriment of ongoing conflicts in Gaza and its heartbreaking toll. On a global scale, Ari Daniel probes the pressing issue of human rights with Skip Mark, discussing the surprising grades assigned to countries and the implications for democracies like the United States. Rounding off the episode on a lighter note, Coleman unveils Pantone's Color of the Year, Peach Fuzz, forecasting its impact on cultural and design trends, offering listeners a silver lining of softness and comfort that may color our world in times of turmoil.

Join Ben Shapiro on "The Ben Shapiro Show" as he delves into the fray of America's economic and societal challenges, scrutinizing the deepening fractures in national unity and the political strategy of painting the GOP as extreme. With a star-studded panel including James Carville, Ibram X. Kendi, and Liz Cheney, this episode offers an unflinching look at the narratives shaping our political discourse. Shapiro systematically breaks down the implications of a financially unstable America, casting light on a Democratic strategy that targets Republican ideologies and highlighting the potentially significant economic influences on the public's perception of Trump versus Biden.

Shapiro doesn't stop at domestic issues; he also navigates the controversial waters of foreign policy and media portrayals, engaging with the insights of international experts like Mark Regev and Jake Sullivan. The episode examines the Biden administration's responses to global challenges, from the inadequacies of military support in Ukraine to the complicated dynamics of Israel and Hamas, with a critical comparison to Trump's tenure. By the end of the episode, listeners will have traversed a broad landscape of contentious issues, culminating in Shapiro's endorsements that maintain his commitment to stirring the pot and prompting debate around society's most pressing concerns.