Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'fireworks'

Don't Burn The Gift Wrap

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 14:04:00 EST

Every Christmas, fire departments across the country warn people not to burn wrapping paper in the fireplace. Still, people do it. It's not the worst thing in the world, experts say. But the gift wrap could cause some unwanted and potentially dangerous fireworks.

Bombings Cast Pall Over India's Diwali Celebrations

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:59:00 EDT

In India, some are celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. It's similar to New Years. People set off vast quantities of fireworks, they feast and party and give each other gifts. But because of recent bombings, this year is different.

Debate On China's Openness Continues

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:48:00 EDT

The Beijing Olympic Games have ended in a blaze of fireworks, with the largest share of gold medals going to the host country. Chinese citizens and state media said that their success in holding the games for the first time would make China a more confident and open country.

China Draws Praise, Criticism As Games End

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:27:00 EDT

China's capital erupted in fireworks once again as the Beijing Olympics drew to a close. Many Chinese were proud that their country's first hosting of the games had produced memorable moments in sports, but the Chinese government's handling of protest continued to draw controversy even as the games wrapped up.

What To Watch Without Getting Fooled

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Figuring what and when can be confusing. We offer some tips for what to focus on and how to avoid being fooled by a Chinese Milli Vanilli and falsely exceptional fireworks.

Beijing's Computer-Generated Fireworks

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:00:00 EDT

Millions of people thought they were watching live fireworks as part of the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. It turns out, those vivid fireworks were really computer graphics created by a team of hundreds of Chinese visual effects specialists who worked nearly a year to pull it off.

Phoenix Finds A Salt Compound On Mars

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:07:00 EDT

NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has detected a salt found on Earth on the surface of Mars. The salt, called perchlorate, is used in fireworks and rocket fuel. The news follows the recent confirmation of the presence of water on the Red Planet.

Fireworks Mark Olympic Opening Ceremony

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EDT

The Olympic opening ceremony in Beijing began with a series of fireworks across the city. NPR's Howard Berkes, watching the festivities in the stadium known as the Bird's Nest, describes the ceremony to host Madeleine Brand.

Disney, NRA Fight Over Guns At Work

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Disney is leading a group of businesses that are fighting a new Florida state law that allows employees to bring their guns to work if they leave them in their parked cars. Disney says the law doesn't apply to it because its nightly fireworks show falls under a provision that exempts companies that "use, store or transport explosives." The NRA says Disney is violating the Second Amendment; Disney says it's maintaining workplace safety.

Big Talent Lights Up Big Sky Country

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:09:00 EDT

This week, from Bozeman, Montana, an 18-year-old from Butte turns in some pianistic fireworks, a quartet of cello-playing siblings offers a unique take on Boccherini, and a teen violinist from Majorca captures the essence of Spain playing Sarasate. This program originally aired on December 12, 2007.

Prices And Demand Skyrocket, Not Fireworks

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A series of supply and production problems in China have caused cities across the U.S. to curtail or completely cut their fireworks shows this Fourth of July. The problems have even affected commercial sales, driving prices sky-high.

Charles Ives' Rambunctious 'Fourth Of July'

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:24:00 EDT

Fireworks, folk songs and marching bands are just a few of the disparate elements that Charles Ives dropped into his evocative — and explosive — musical portrait of the national holiday. The festivities end as the town hall goes up in flames.

Ahead of Fourth of July, An Eye On Fireworks

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Scott DeGross, general manager of Victory Fireworks in Ellsworth, Wis., about the latest firework types and trends, who's buying them, and how the economy has been affecting sales.

Gore Testimony Fails to Produce Congressional Fireworks

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 06:00:00 EDT

Dana Milbank, a columnist for The Washington Post, offers his view of former Vice President Al Gore's appearance on Capitol Hill. Milbank tells Renee Montagne that Gore's testimony on global warming was solid, but didn't live up to its billing as a battle for the ages.

Beijing Residents Mark New Year at Temple Fair

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 17:50:00 EST

You've eaten scores of dumplings, set off a megaton of fireworks and lost all your money playing mahjong. How to pass the rest of the Chinese New Year? If you're like many Beijingers, you'll join the crowds thronging one of the city's traditional temple fairs.

Congressmen, Protesters Clash at Immigration Hearing

Thu, 06 Jul 2006 06:00:00 EDT

In San Diego, verbal fireworks highlighted a House subcommittee hearing on immigration reform. Republican House members claimed that security lapses at the border are creating an open door for terrorists. Protesters called the hearing a sham.

Bush Speaks to Troops at Fort Bragg

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 16:00:00 EDT

President Bush spent part of his Fourth of July at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, using the holiday as an opportunity to talk about the war in Iraq. Bush told troops that he would not settle for anything less than victory. Mr. Bush was back at the White House in time for Tuesday night's fireworks in the nation's capital.

Homemade Fireworks from a Local Druggist

Mon, 03 Jul 2006 16:00:00 EDT

By day, he counts pills for residents of upstate New York. But by night, pharmacist Pete Henry rolls cases, cuts fuses, and plans his homemade fireworks. In the age of high-tech displays, Henry will light up the rural night sky for crowds on Independence Day, using the tools he has perfected in 40 years of building fireworks. Gregory Warner of North Country Public Radio reports.

Band Manager Gets 4 Years for Fire that Killed 100

Wed, 10 May 2006 18:22:00 EDT

The former band tour manager who set off the fireworks that killed 100 people at a Rhode Island nightclub was sentenced to four years in prison Wednesday. Daniel Biechele admitted that he's the one who lit the pyrotechnics that caught The Station nightclub on fire.

Victims' Families Testify at Band Manager Sentencing

Tue, 09 May 2006 00:00:00 EDT

Victims' families testify in Rhode Island at the sentencing hearing for a former band manager whose fireworks killed 100 people at a nightclub three years ago. Daniel Biechele has pleaded guilty to 100 charges of involuntary manslaughter. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

Soweto Gospel Choir: 'Blessed'

Wed, 08 Feb 2006 00:00:00 EST

Ever since their smash debut CD Voices From Heaven, the Soweto Gospel Choir have spent years touring the world with their exhilarating brand of vocal fireworks. The group returns with a new collection of songs sung in English and some of the 10 other "official" languages of South Africa.

Texas, Oklahoma on Alert for Weekend Wildfires

Fri, 30 Dec 2005 00:00:00 EST

Firefighters in Texas and Oklahoma have contained wildfires that have raged through both states this week, killing four people. But warm and windy conditions this weekend could cause the blazes to flare up, and many communities have banned fireworks during New Year's celebrations.

Political Fireworks Erupt in Washington over Iraq

Sun, 20 Nov 2005 00:00:00 EST

NPR senior political editor Ron Elving speaks with Liane Hansen about this week's political fireworks on Capitol Hill. Pro-military "hawk" Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) stunned Washington on Thursday when he introduced a resolution to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq "as soon as practicable." That led to a House session on Friday that led to a free-for-all, complete with name calling. President Bush's handling of the lead-up to the war in Iraq is now overshadowing all other issues and might have a substantial impact on next year's mid-term elections.

No Tour de France: The Brooklyn Bike Brawl

Sat, 09 Jul 2005 00:00:00 EDT

The Brooklyn Bike Brawl has bicycles -- but that's where similarities to the Tour de France end. The recent bicycle festival in Brooklyn, N.Y., featured highlights such as jousting, chicken fighting and fireworks -- all on bikes.

Increasingly, U.S. Fireworks Come from Overseas

Mon, 04 Jul 2005 00:00:00 EDT

To many Americans, fireworks are a key feature to the Fourth of July, but most of the fireworks used in the United States now come from China.