NPR 2011-08-30

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        More than 30 deaths in 10 states set out blame down Hurricane Irene. Property damage is estimated to be in the billions of dollars. About 9,000 flights have to be cancelled. Millions of people up and down the eastern seaboard lost electricity. Many of them may not have power restored for at least a week. Floods though it immediately threatened many areas including Vermont, it’s seen its worst flooding in the century. Major roads in the southern, half of Vermont virtually impassable. And Melody Bodette for Vermont Public Radio reports that spells trouble for people still waiting to get their electricity back.

        Vermont utilities say they can’t restore power if roads are impassable. And in many places, roadways are simply gone. Utility crews around the country have been brought in to help get power back online. At the state’s largest utility, Central Vermont Public Service, spokesman Steve Costello says it’s going to be a long way for many people. 

        “Ultimately, depending on the recovery effort as far as state roads and town roads being rebuilt it may be weeks before some customers get electricity back because we simply can’t get to them.”

        Hundreds of roads are closed and recent dozens of bridges are washed out. The American Red Cross says it would keep 4 shelters open tonight for people who have been displaced. For NPR News, I’m Melody Bodette in Colchester, Vermont.

        The storm damage across northeast turn out to be far less than people have feared. And Wall Street’s certainly reacting. At last check, the Dow was up 229 points, more than 2% at 11,513; and NASDAQ was up nearly 3% at 2,552; and S&P 500 up 2.5% at 1,206.

        The Algerian government confirmed it is hosting members of Muammar Gaddafi’s family but the ousted² Libyan leader’s whereabouts are still unknown. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is cutting short her vacation to go to Paris this week for international conference on Libya. NPR’s Michele Kelemen reports diplomats³ trying to help the Libyan opposition⁴ is now in control of Tripoli.

        The meeting in Paris would be the latest gathering⁵ and so called contact group on Libya. Diplomats would be hearing from the rebel government the Transitional National Council. And State Departments spokesperson Victoria Nuland says the U.S. and its partners would talk about ways they can help.

        “The international community is transitioning itself from a body that was supporting an opposition coalition⁶ now into a ‘Friends of Libya’ group.” 

        One immediate¹ goal is to get cash to the Transitional National Council to help they restore basic services and establish itself in the cities throughout Libya. Michele Kelemen, NPR News, Washington.

        Consumer spending is up by the largest demand in 5 months Commerce Department reports and 0.8% jump in July. This is NPR News.

        There’s a new addition to the White House economic team President Obama has chosen Princeton professor Alan Krueger to lead his Council of Economic Advisors⁷.

        An emperor penguin⁸ that washed up on the beach in New Zealand in June is being returned to his home at Antarctic. Stewart Cohen reports from Sydney that the bird has been put on the research ship headed for the frigid⁹ and Antarctic waters.

        The young emperor penguin nicknamed Happy Feet became a global media’s sensation when he turned up on the beach in New Zealand nearly 2,000 miles from Antarctic. But the bird felt ill after eating sand apparently¹⁰ mistaking it for snow. After several surgeries, the Wellington zoo nursed the penguin back to health. Zoo veterinary Lisa Argilla says Happy Feet is now ready to return to the wild.

        “At the moment, he’s really in good shape, he’s in very, very good body condition, he’s spicy¹¹, he’s strong, he’s choppy, he’s a demeanor¹², he’s showing our city he’s very keen to leave.

        The penguin was being dropped off in sub-Antarctic waters with hopes he will rejoin in other emperor penguins¹³ and eventually make his way back to Antarctic. He’s been fixed¹⁴ with transmitters and scientists and the public can track his progress. For NPR News, I’m Stewart Cohen in Sydney.

        A volcano in Sicily is getting a lot more active, more ashes, lavas¹⁵ spewing out of the Mount Etna that marking a jump in that activity 8 days after the volcanoes started erupting. Several villages are located along the slopes of that volcano. 

        Here’s the latest from Wall Street. U.S. stocks still rising, the Dow was up 233 points at last check more than 2% at 11,518; and NASDAQ up nearly 3%, it’s at 2,553; S&P 500 up to 0.5% at 1,206.

        I’m Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.

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