NPR News

Pages

Around the Nation
9:01 pm
Tue January 17, 2012

Cruise Ship Disaster Puts Focus On Safety Concerns

The dramatic Costa Concordia accident off the coast of Italy is calling attention to the regulation of the cruise line industry. Experts say there are plenty of rules, but enforcement can be spotty.

Some of the survivors of last week's disaster described the rescue effort as chaotic and disorganized. The crew had not yet conducted a required emergency drill during the cruise.

Read more
Europe
9:01 pm
Tue January 17, 2012

In Hungary, Fears Government 'Limiting Democracy'

Credit Ferenenc Isza / AFP/Getty Images
People gather to protest against Hungary's new constitution outside the Opera House in Budapest on Jan. 2. Critics say the document curbs democracy.

Veteran Hungarian broadcaster Gyorgy Bolgar, who hosts a popular daily news-talk call in show on Klubradio, gets a daily earful from ordinary Hungarians upset with Prime Minister Victor Orban.

Many here fear Orban, a dissident during the communist era, and his conservative Fidesz party are pushing the country backward.

Read more
Environment
9:01 pm
Tue January 17, 2012

Cleaner Air In L.A. Ports Comes At A Cost To Truckers

The twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are the busiest in the nation. They also have some of the dirtiest air, thanks to thousands of cargo trucks that pass through each day.

But this month marks the beginning of a new era, as tighter emissions standards go into effect.

'100 Percent Clean Energy'

A common trope in environmental stories is to put things in terms of jobs vs. the environment. But that's not what happened in the case of the ports.

Read more
Sweetness And Light
7:00 pm
Tue January 17, 2012

Take Your Ball And Go Home? How Dare You!

Credit Tertius Pickard / AP
"It's not that I've fallen out of love; I've actually never liked sports, and I never understood how I became an athlete," Serena Williams said recently, according to TennisNow.com. "I don't like working out; I don't like anything that has to do with working physically."

Originally published on Wed January 18, 2012 5:11 am

Now that Tim Tebow is out of hearts and minds, and we can actually turn our attention to other things, let us go clear to the other side of the world. There, a short while ago, while preparing for the Australian Open, Serena Williams said: "I don't love tennis today, but ... I've actually never liked sports."

While her confession might have surprised some, I suspect that even more were irritated, actually angered, that an athlete — a great champion! — could utter such blasphemy.

Read more
The Two-Way
4:02 pm
Tue January 17, 2012

Facing Disaster, What Is A Ship's Captain Expected To Do?

Credit Filippo Monteforte / AFP/Getty
The Costa Concordia lies stranded in the Giglio harbor on Tuesday.

The captain of the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia has been pilloried by many for what they say was cowardice in the wake of the accident off the coast of Tuscany Friday.

The dramatic recordings of the exchange between Coast Guard Capt. Gregorio De Falco's and Capt. Francesco Schettino, reveal a captain unwilling to return to the listing ship, even as De Falco mocks him.

But under maritime law, what was Schettino supposed to do?

Read more

Pages