News From NPR

Obama Forgets To Salute; Sparks Debate On Presidential Tradition

Eyder Peralta — Sat, 25 May 2013 17:33:00 +0000

As Obama boarded Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on Friday, he didn't return the salute of the Marine standing at the base of the stairs.

Obama realized it once he got into the helicopter, so he turned around and shook the Marine's hand.

Meet London's Master Architects In Jell-0

Amy Guttman — Sat, 25 May 2013 16:40:00 +0000

Banana-flavored vapors? A pineapple island?

These may sound like the makings of a Roald Dahl children's book (he of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fame).

Missouri Train Collision Injures 7, Collapses Overpass

Eyder Peralta — Sat, 25 May 2013 15:04:00 +0000

Two freight trains collided in Scott County, Mo., early Saturday morning, leaving seven injured and collapsing an overpass.

KMOV-TV reports:

"Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter says a Union Pacific train t-boned a Burlington Northern train that had just made it through an intersection.
"The collision caused one of the trains to derail and hit a pillar under the overpass causing it to collapse.

One Hit Wonder? Another Anibal Sanchez No-Hit Bid Spoiled

Eyder Peralta — Sat, 25 May 2013 14:03:00 +0000

You've gotta feel for Detroit right-hander Anibal Sanchez.

He was cruising toward a no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins Friday night. It was the ninth inning, two outs to go, the count was 1-1 on Joe Mauer.

For his 121st pitch, Sanchez hung a pitch over the heart of the plate. Mauer delivered a bullet to center field, spoiling Sanchez's no-hit bid.

As the baseball gods are wont to do, it set up a trifecta of statistical curiosities.

'We Need Help Bad': 911 Calls Reveal Chaos In Tornado's Wake

Eyder Peralta — Sat, 25 May 2013 13:13:00 +0000

Authorities in Moore, Okla., just released some of the calls that were made to 911 during the EF-5 tornado that devastated the city.

They're harrowing and they offer a glimmer of the chaos and emotion that followed the storm.

During one of the calls, a man tells the dispatcher that the tornado has "cremated" a daycare.

"We need help bad," the man says. You can hear the sounds of children crying in the background. "We need help bad. We got tons of babies in here."

Another woman calls just as the tornado is approaching her. She asks where the tornado is.