Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'continent'

Tiny Diamonds Support Comet Theory

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST

Scientists have long blamed climate change for the mass extinction of animals that took place in North America almost 13,000 years ago. Now some researchers say a comet broke apart and burned the landscape and many of the creatures living on it. The proof is "nanodiamonds," microscopic diamonds they've found in the soil across the continent.

Wilma Mankiller Reflects on Columbus Day

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:02:00 EDT

Columbus Day is traditionally marked by going to parades that honor the man credited with "discovering" America. But for Native Americans, whose ancestors were displaced and marginalized by the European journey to this continent, it's a day of somber reflection or even mourning.

European Nations Agree To Bank Debt Guarantee

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:39:00 EDT

Europe is taking stronger, coordinated action to restore confidence in the continent's banking system. Fifteen euro zone countries have agreed to guarantee future loans among banks through the end of next year, according to French President Nicolas Sarkozy. NPR's Frank Langfitt talks to host Andrea Seabrook about European credit markets, which have seized up as there as they have in the U.S.

Lost... Let A Cow Be Your Guide

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:00:00 EDT

People spend a lot of money on GPS directional systems, but it turns out all they need is a cow. Researchers say cattle seem to have some kind of internal compass. They studied satellite photos of thousands of cows around the world. No matter which continent they're on, grazing or resting cows tend to align themselves north and south. Call it CPS: You can find your way as long as you know which end is north.

Europe On The Cheap... Voila: A Grand Literary Tour

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:47:00 EDT

A dollar won't buy you much in Europe these days. But three books set on the continent offer a full immersion in "la dolce vita" — at minimal cost.

Army Of Shopowners Paved China's Way In Africa

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:55:00 EDT

Business owners and shopkeepers are the vanguard of China's ever-expanding presence in Africa. One scholar says China is hungry for the continent's raw materials and warns that the relationship is unbalanced.

Rushdie's 'Enchantress' Conjures Fanciful Voyage

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:34:00 EDT

In his new novel, The Enchantress of Florence, Salman Rushdie blends history and fantasy to recount the tale of a lost princess. The lavish epic spans multiple decades and continents.

Kofi Annan Fights for Africa's Global Influence

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Leaders from around the world are working hard to make Africa a viable player in the global economy. The African Progress Panel, which embodies the group, releases its first report today. Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan chairs the panel and explains the report and weighs in on the continent's political conflicts.

Bush Leaves Successor a Tangled Legacy in Europe

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:23:00 EDT

During his trips to Europe, President Bush became accustomed to mass demonstrations. But as his time in office nears an end, European animosity is waning, and there are plenty of signs that the continent is looking past Bush to the next occupant of the White House.

Growing Up In a Surfer Family, Wipeouts and All

Thu, 08 May 2008 10:20:00 EDT

The family of Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz — all 11 of them — lived on a 24-foot camper, traveling the continent in search of good surfing. Their story is the subject of Surfwise, a documentary directed by Doug Pray and produced by Jonathan Paskowitz.

Growing Trade Ties China to Latin America

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Hungry for trade with resource-rich Latin America, the Chinese are binding themselves closer to the continent, snapping up commodities such as Brazilian soy in record amounts. However, some in Brazil see China as a threat as well as an opportunity.

A Changing Antarctica Draws 'Doomsday' Tourists

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 10:58:00 EDT

The popularity of Antarctic cruises is partly due to so-called doomsday tourists -- people who want to see the continent's coastline before warmer temperatures melt the ice. But the growing traffic may actually help defend the continent from environmental threats.

How Do You Transport a Burning Olympic Torch...

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:18:00 EDT

Protests over China's human-rights record are complicating an already amazing feat -- keeping a flame alive on a more than 150-day journey touching each of the continents, and this year, a climb to the top of Mount Everest.

Antarctica's March of the Tourists

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 01:56:00 EDT

An unprecedented 40,000 people will visit Antarctica this year. For many, reaching the icy continent represents a great personal achievement -- but waves of tourists could potentially do more damage there than climate change.

Cruising to Otherworldly Antarctica

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 01:17:00 EDT

Onboard a modern ocean liner, travel to the frozen continent is a far cry from the life-risking affair that it was for early explorers. But Antarctica's allure is still just as powerful.

A Bright Spot of Life on the Icy Continent

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 01:06:00 EDT

The vast, icy expanse of the South Pole has nurtured its own community. But what kind of people come for months at a time to live at the most difficult place on Earth?

Secretary Rice Demands Resolution in Kenya

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:00:00 EST

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is in Kenya for a day of talks with political protagonists and leaders. She's delivering a message from President Bush: Stop the violence and return to democracy. Bush is in Tanzania on the second leg of a five-nation African tour that is focusing on U.S. humanitarian efforts on the continent. Rice's trip to Kenya girds former U.N. chief Kofi Annan's mediation efforts there.

Bush in Africa to Highlight Good Works

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:36:00 EST

President Bush began Saturday in the West African nation of Benin and ended on the other side of the continent, in Tanzania. He is visiting five of the most stable democracies on the continent to highlight his administration's good works toward health care, education and infrastructure.

South Pole Telescope Scans the Skies

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 15:11:00 EST

Physicists are using the largest telescope in Antarctica to probe the farthest edges of the universe. South Pole Telescope scientists discuss their 280-ton scope, what they hope it will show them -- and what it's like to live and work on the southernmost continent.

Africa Update: Christmas on the Continent

Tue, 25 Dec 2007 15:02:00 EST

Farai Chideya and Pearl Robinson, professor of African politics at Tufts University, discuss the unique way Africans celebrate the birth of Jesus. Then they explore how to engage and educate African Americans about Africa.

New U.S. Command in Africa Faces Skeptics

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 07:55:00 EDT

Many African leaders are opposed to AFRICOM, a new U.S. military command planned for the region. Critics say it offers an opportunity for the Defense Department to plant a foothold inside the continent and vie for oil in the Gulf of Guinea. The Pentagon says it will have a humanitarian focus.

New Book Sheds Light on Explorer Vespucci

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 18:34:00 EDT

The man who lent his name to the American continents was thought to be an intrepid explorer in the league of Christopher Columbus and Vasco de Gama. But a new book portrays Amerigo Vespucci as little more than a con man with a wild imagination. Felipe Fernandez-Armesto talks about his book, Amerigo: The Man Who Gave His Name to America.

Biodiesel Demand Grows Across Continents

Sun, 02 Sep 2007 01:30:00 EDT

The ultimate clean fuel, at least at first glance, is vegetable oil. Plants make it from sunlight, water, and a greenhouse gas -- and they remove carbon dioxide from the air as they grow. The oil is easily converted into fuel for diesel engines. Around the globe there's now a rush toward so-called "biodiesel."

Climate Change Threatens European Landmarks

Fri, 17 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Many of the continent's architectural gems have been around for centuries. But experts warn that some could be severely damaged by pollution, flooding and changing humidity levels.

Book About Italian Politicians Shocks Readers

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 06:00:00 EDT

A recent book about corruption and excess in Italian politics has become a runaway best-seller. La Casta Â� the Caste Â� How Italian Politicians Became Untouchable claims that Italian politicians are the best-paid in Europe, and have lavish perks and privileges unheard of elsewhere on the continent.