Natural disasters in China was expected in 1996. This yield was anticipated despite torrential summer rains throughout China that flooded 32,500 square kilometres (8 million acres) of cropland, caused thousands of deaths, left millions homeless, and cost billions of yuan in damage. The Yellow River crested at its highest recorded level, inspiring fears of a catastrophic dike breach. Nevertheless, over the past 50 years, natural disasters on average had reduced China's harvests by approximately 1% annually. Work proceeded on the world's largest flood-control and hydroelectric project, the controversial Three Gorges Dam on the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River) above Yichang. Chinese planners were considering huge
All Songs Considered All Songs Considered All Songs Considered is a weekly online multimedia program started in January 2000 by NPR's "All Things Considered" director Bob Boilen. At first, the show featured information and streaming audio about the songs used as bumper music on "All Things Considered". The program has turned into a source of discovery for new music of all genres. In August 2005, the program began podcasting for free. In 2005, it began webcasting and podcasting live concerts from Washington, D.C.'s , including acts such as Animal Collective, The Decemberists, Neko Case and Tom Waits. Host Bob Boilen and producer/co-host Robin