Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'destruction'

Report: Terrorists Could Use WMD By 2013

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:29:00 EST

It is "more likely than not" that a weapon of mass destruction will be used in a terrorist attack by the end of 2013, according to a report issued by a congressional commission. The report said the use of a biological weapon that could include something like the deadly anthrax bacteria is most likely.

Report: WMD Attack Inevitable Before 2013

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

A new report says a terrorist attack with weapons of mass destruction is all but inevitable before 2013. Former Missouri Sen. Jim Talent, one of the authors of the study, discsuses how the researchers gathered their information and where they expect an attack to occur.

Wildfires Rip Through Southern California

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 08:53:00 EST

Wildfires are ripping through the Los Angeles area, forcing people from their homes. Weekend Edition Host Liane Hansen speaks with NPR's Carrie Kahn to find out more about the destruction that the fire is causing.

Bird Forces Hawaii To Transfer To Digital TV in Jan.

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:55:00 EST

The nation is scheduled to convert to digital TV on Feb. 17. But most of Hawaii will make the switch a month early because of a volcano-dwelling bird. Federal wildlife officials recommended hastening the transition in Hawaii. That's so the Hawaiian petrel's nesting season on the slopes of Maui's Haleakala volcano won't be disrupted by the destruction of the old analog transmission towers nearby.

Passersby Watch Economy Melt On Wall Street

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 05:02:00 EDT

Two artists temporarily decorated Wall Street. They created an ice sculpture weighing 1,500 pounds. And they placed it in Manhattan's financial district. Like most ice sculptures, it's on display in above freezing temperatures. And in this case, the slow destruction of the sculpture is part of the point. The artists cut the ice so that it spells the word economy, and people passing by can watch it slowly melting.

Madonna's 'Filth And Wisdom': Not Much Of Either

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EDT

The indestructible pop star (who proved decidedly destructible as an actress) makes her directorial debut. Mark Jenkins says that for an offbeat sex comedy about alt-culture love and larceny, it's surprisingly middlebrow.

God Wins In Nebraska Court

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

A Nebraska state senator last year filed a lawsuit against God. Ernie Chambers sought an injunction against God because of widespread death and destruction. Judge Marlon Polk has thrown out the lawsuit. He says there's no way to properly notify the defendant. You can't serve papers on a man with no address. Chambers says he may appeal. He contends that God is aware of the charges, since God is all-knowing.

For Next President, An Array Of Science Challenges

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:09:00 EDT

According to a report issued by the Center for the Study of the President, the incoming president will need to confront a host of policy issues related to science and technology — including climate change, food and water scarcity, energy shortages and weapons of mass destruction.

Storm Debris Blocks Roads To Galveston

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 08:39:00 EDT

Thousands of people living on the Texan coastline ignored evacuation orders to escape Hurricane Ike's destruction, and now most roads are impassible, which has left many people stranded.

Cuba Reeling From Recent Storms

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Almost all of Cuba has been affected by recent storms. More than 350,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, and five people died in Hurricane Ike. Ray Sanchez, a South Florida Sun-Sentinel reporter based in Cuba, talks with Steve Inskeep about the storm destruction.

Music Minute: Remembering Katrina

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EDT

Three years ago Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast and caused unimaginable destruction. Tell Me More commemorates that date with a rendition of "Amazing Grace" by New Orleans native, Aaron Neville.

In 'Way Of The World,' A Fabricated Case For War

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Steve Inskeep talks with author Ron Suskind about his new book, The Way of the World: A Story of Truth And Hope In An Age of Extremism. In the book, Suskind alleges that the Bush administration knew Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction, eventually fabricating intelligence assets to support its case for war. Both the White House and CIA deny his claims.

New Mediterranean Union Aims To Promote Peace

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:30:00 EDT

Leaders from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East have pledged to work for a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction. The Mediterranean regional summit's launch Sunday in Paris marked a few firsts, like bringing Syria's president to the table with Israel's prime minister.

Study: Global Coral Crisis Is In Full Bloom

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:00:00 EDT

As many as one-third of the world's coral reefs may be headed toward extinction. A new study blames the destruction on a range of culprits, from fishing boats to climate change.

Africa's Oldest National Park In Crisis

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:01:00 EDT

Virunga National Park in Central Africa is located in what has become a war zone. Its trees are being cut down to support a lucrative, militia-controlled charcoal trade. If the destruction continues unchecked, most of the trees in southern Virunga will be gone in a decade.

Up In The Air: It's 'Hancock,' Crashing And Burning

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:14:00 EDT

It has summer's most promising premise, but Will Smith's much-hyped superzero fable self-destructs after a plot twist so head-shakingly bizarre that even an indestructible crime-fighter can't shake it off.

As Floodwaters Recede, Damage Is Exposed

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EDT

The flooding in the Midwest has displaced thousands of people. Some residents of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where the water is beginning to recede, discuss finding the destruction left by the floods.

Bill Clinton's 'Vanity Fair' Moment

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:38:00 EDT

A new Vanity Fair article scrutinizes Bill Clinton's post-presidential behavior, and the former president unleashes a tirade against the reporter. Is it possible that Clinton had a journalistic point in his latest, outraged, self-serving and self-destructive rant?

Apple Grower Goes Hog-Wild in Battle Against Bugs

Sat, 31 May 2008 17:01:00 EDT

At a farm near Flint, Mich., European Berkshire pigs are being used to eat up ground-fall apples from the orchard. Many of the apples are infested with a bug called the plum curculio, which is among the most destructive insect to apple growers.

With a Backdrop of Aftershocks, Rice Planting Begins

Sun, 25 May 2008 17:30:00 EDT

Residents in farming villages such as Yongan are trying to regain a sense of normalcy. But the backdrop for their rice planting is one of utter destruction: Brick and cement homes ripped apart by the earthquake.

Parents Blame Chinese Officials for School Collapse

Wed, 21 May 2008 13:43:00 EDT

At a primary school in the town of Wufu, China, at least 127 students died when the three-story building collapsed during the earthquake in Sichuan province last week. The parents say it wasn't the earthquake that caused the destruction — it was the shoddy structure.

Experts Keep Close Eye on Quake-Damaged Dams

Tue, 20 May 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Recovery efforts in Dujiangyan, China are also focused on hydropower dams around the ancient city. The epicenter of last week's massive earthquake was near the huge Zipingpu dam, cracking its walls. Officials say Zipingpu is structurally safe and are releasing water to decrease pressure. Scientists warn that if the dam fails, the destruction would be even greater than the quake. NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with NPR's Melissa Block.

Nabokov Novel Preserved, Against His Dying Wish

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:09:00 EDT

Dmitri Nabokov talks about his father's unfinished novel, which scholars call The Original of Laura. Vladimir Nabokov's dying wish was for the novel to be burned, but Dmitri's mother couldn't bear to do it. Dmitri explains why he decided to save the manuscript from destruction.

Former CIA Official Under Investigation Over Tapes

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:07:00 EDT

Jose Rodriguez, until recently the head of the CIA's clandestine service, is the target of two inquiries regarding the destruction of videotapes showing CIA officers using harsh interrogation methods. He has so far refused to talk with investigators without a promise of immunity.

Steve-O Broadcasts his Meltdown

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:00:00 EDT

The Jackass star has been sharing videos of himself, looking insane, on the Web. It is clever entertainment or dangerous drug-addiction? TV critic Andrew Wallenstein takes issue with the self-destructing star.