WAMU 88.5 : News

Washington Dulles Busy Processing Arrivals From Japan

Play associated audio

When Joelene Gomes heard about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, she was desperate to get in touch with her brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew who live in a suburb of Tokyo. But that wasn't an easy thing to do.

"All the phone lines were jammed so I couldn't get through until my brother sent me an e-mail and it just had a few words and said 'we are safe' and that was it," Gomes says.

Once her family landed at Dulles, Gomes felt a lot more secure, but her brother Matthew Wickens says the road ahead is long and winding.

"It was the worst earthquake I've ever felt. Everything in our apartment fell out, lots of things falling, cleanup to do," he says.

Wickens says his family plans to stay in the United States for a little over two weeks, but he also says they won't return to Japan at all until they have a better idea of what's waiting for them back home.

NPR

China Builds Museums ... But Will The Visitors Come?

China is on a spree to build world-class museums and has opened about 100 of them annually in recent years. Two of the biggest opened on the same day last fall on opposite banks of Shanghai's Huangpu River. But filling these museums — with both art and visitors — is proving more challenging.
NPR

Nutrition Group Says Chocolate Milk Is OK, No Need For Aspartame

The nation's largest group of nutritionists is urging the FDA to reject the dairy industry's petition to change the definition of milk. The petition aims to allow aspartame or other alternatives to be used to sweeten milk in an effort to boost consumption in schools.
NPR

IRS Official In Charge Of Nonprofits Declines To Testify

Lois Lerner, who heads the IRS division dealing with nonprofits seeking tax-exempt status, will not testify on Wednesday despite a congressional subpoena, her attorney says. She is accused of closely scrutinizing conservative groups that sought tax-exempt status.
NPR

Microsoft Reveals New Xbox One Game System

Microsoft unveiled its new Xbox One Tuesday, displaying a device that takes new steps in game consoles' journey into becoming all-purpose entertainment and communication devices. The new console replaces the Xbox 360, which has been on the market for more than seven years.

Leave a Comment

Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.