Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'disaster'

U.N. Official In Gaza Discusses Aid Suspension

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:48:00 EST

The U.N. Relief And Works Agency has suspended operations in the Gaza Strip after one of its drivers was killed by Israeli fire. John Ging, UNRWA's director of operations in Gaza, says the suspension of aid is "a disaster" for the people of Gaza. He says Israel had approved the movement of the aid convoy.

NASA Targets Problems To Make Space Travel Safer

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST

The first NASA study of astronaut crew safety since the 2003 Columbia disaster was released Tuesday. While scientists found that there was nothing that could have been done to prevent that disaster — they did look into preventing other problems before they could come up.

Tennessee Spill The Exxon Valdez Of Coal Ash...

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:59:00 EST

There aren't a lot of answers yet about what caused a catastrophic spill of coal ash from a Tennessee Valley Authority plant near Knoxville. But the disaster has raised lots of questions about whether regulations of coal ash are strict enough.

Researchers Try To Create Super-Power Bridge

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

University of Nevada at Reno researchers just built a brand-new bridge — then promptly tried to knock it down by simulating an 8.0 magnitude earthquake. They hope the new seismic designs will survive quakes and other natural disasters well enough to allow emergency vehicles to get across, if not full traffic loads. From Capital Public Radio in Sacramento, Ben Adler reports.

Foreclosures Leave Trail Of Disaster In Las Vegas

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

The collapse of the housing market is often described with the language of a natural disaster: tsunami, hurricane or earthquake. In Las Vegas, foreclosures run seven times the national average. A visit there reveals just how right on the natural disaster analogy is.

What Low Gas Prices Say About The Economy

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:54:00 EST

In the short term, cheap gas is a godsend. But in the long term, it's a disaster. How much lower can — or should — the price go?

For $9 You Can Sleep In Swiss Nuclear Bunker

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

The world's first "zero-star hotel" recently opened its single cement door to tourists. Though the aesthetic in the converted bunker may be stark, it's conceived as a social place. And in case of nuclear disaster, guests should be safe.

It's Not All Green At The L.A. Auto Show

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

It's a strange time for a big party — especially for the auto industry. Still, the show must go on. We attended a preview of the L.A. Auto Show and found a capsule view of the problems car makers are facing in the United States — one part financial disaster, one part environmental enthusiasm with a splash of fur.

Commander-In-Chief In Cinema

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:18:00 EST

Film expert Murray Horwitz discusses the ways in which American presidents have been portrayed in film. Whether battling terrorists, natural disasters or alien invasions, who is your favorite fictional president?

McCain: Democrats In Total Control Is A Bad Idea

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Republican presidential hopeful John McCain says he's not worried about polls that show him trailing Democrat Barack Obama by double-digits. McCain is making the case that voters should elect him to create a check on a Democratic Congress. McCain says a Democratic takeover of Washington would spell economic disaster.

'Dr. Doom' Calls U.S. Economy Worst Since WWII

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:05:00 EDT

Henry Kaufman, also known as "Dr. Doom" for his bearish forecasts in the 1970s, says the economy is in the "worst recession in the post-World War II period." The way to protect the economy from outright disaster, he says, is to protect the middle class.

Don't Count Sen. McCain Out Of The Race Yet

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:58:00 EDT

The editor of the National Review says that even the "most hardened Democrat" has to appreciate McCain's pluck — and he has the ability to "persevere through looming disaster."

Washington Mutual Collapses

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:40:00 EDT

The battered savings and loan company Washington Mutual has become the latest casualty of the subprime mortgage disaster. Regulators say the bank fell over the edge because in the past week or so more and more customers began pulling their deposits out.

Warren Buffett Backs Goldman Sachs

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Amid all the uncertainty on Wall Street, investor Warren Buffett is giving a $5 billion vote of confidence to Goldman Sachs. The investment bank is considered to have a relatively strong balance sheet, but its stock has dropped sharply in the fallout of the subprime mortgage disaster.

Surviving The Storm

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EDT

A new documentary film, Trouble the Water tells the story of a couple who were swept up in the Hurricane Katrina disaster three years ago. Commentator S. Pearl Sharp went to see the film, and reflects on how it changed her view of the Katrina aftermath.

Wisconsin Flood Brings Slow Disaster

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:14:00 EDT

NPR's Jacki Lyden goes to her brother's rural Wisconsin farm, which has been flooded since June's historic rainstorms — with no relief in sight— to explore what happens after the headlines move on, but the flood doesn't.

Texas Eyes Weeks Of Recovery From Ike

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 09:48:00 EDT

Texas and Louisiana have been declared disaster areas, more than a million people are away from their homes, and gasoline prices are on the rise. All are consequences of the enormous Hurricane Ike which slammed into south Texas Saturday, flooding thousands of homes and sending hundreds of rescue personnel out searching for survivors.

How Gustav Compares To Katrina

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Officials are cautiously optimistic that New Orleans is safe after Hurricane Gustav. We track how the levees, rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina, are holding up and examine how the police and national guard are reacting. This is the first real test for the disaster system since Hurricane Katrina left more than 1,000 people dead.

What Hurricane Gustav Learned From Katrina

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Hurricane Gustav is opening old wounds in Louisiana. But gun-shy residents' reactions to the threat could be a good thing. Madeleine Brand talks to Kenneth Padgett, Jefferson Parish director of emergency services, about how they're preparing for a possible disaster three years after Hurricane Katrina.

Fay Swamps Florida; Governor Seeks Federal Aid

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Three days of heavy rains from Tropical Storm Fay have flooded hundreds of homes and caused tornadoes in parts of Florida. Gov. Charlie Crist has described the flooding as catastrophic and requested that President Bush issue a federal disaster declaration.

'Tropic Thunder': A Category 2 Comedy Disaster

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:00:00 EDT

A Hollywood parody of the Scary Movie variety, Tropic Thunder becomes the butt of its own joke. Bombastic actors satirically play bombastic actors — without much effect, says critic Cynthia Fuchs. Ooh, how meta.

How To Avoid A Hot Mic Disaster

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:00:00 EDT

It happens again and again; a politician, celebrity or TV anchor wearing a microphone says something embarrassing, followed shortly by, "Oh, is this thing on?" Our resident humorist takes on "hot mic" disasters.

Report Dissects 2007 Utah Mine Disaster

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Utah's Crandall Canyon mine — site of a deadly August 2007 collapse — was "destined to fail," federal investigators say. The Mine Health and Safety Administration says major engineering deficiencies led to the disaster — and that regulators were not told the mine was unstable.

Identifying Who Survives Disasters — And Why

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:21:00 EDT

Time magazine reporter Amanda Ripley takes readers inside fires, floods and airplane crashes in The Unthinkable, a disquieting study of disaster psychology.

China Panda Center Copes With Sagging Tourism

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:03:00 EDT

Two months after a massive earthquake struck China, a panda research base is struggling with major losses in revenues caused by a slowdown in tourism following the disaster. A new book about a panda named Jingjing is being launched to help raise money for the center.