The Economics of Everyday Things - 97. Elevators

Americans take more than 20 billion elevator rides every year — and keeping them safe is an expensive proposition. Zachary Crockett makes small talk.

 

  • SOURCES:
    • Frank Christensen, president of the International Union of Elevators Constructors.
    • Shannon Moore, service mechanic for the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 8.
    • Brian O'Connell, senior vice president of the Eastern U.S. at Otis Elevators.
    • Stephen Smith, executive director of the Center for Building in North America.

 

 

Consider This from NPR - What are the wider repercussions of the U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites?

The U.S. joined Israel's war on Iran and over the weekend bombed three of the country's nuclear sites, including Fordo, located deep inside a mountain.

In the aftermath of the bombing, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump on the attack.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi tweeted that the U.S.'s attack would have "everlasting consequences."

The move by the Trump administration is a massive escalation, and brings the U.S. into direct conflict with Iran. How will Iran respond and what are the wider repercussions?

NPR's Andrew Limbong speaks with journalist Robin Wright, author of "The Last Great Revolution: Turmoil and Transformation in Iran."

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PBS News Hour - World - What we know about the U.S.’ unprecedented direct attack on Iran

The Middle East stands at a pivot point Sunday after the Trump administration launched airstrikes on three of Iran’s largest nuclear sites. In response, Iran said the time for diplomacy is over and hinted at military retaliation against the United States. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

PBS News Hour - World - Former national security adviser analyzes U.S. airstrikes on Iran

The Trump administration said “Operation Midnight Hammer” severely damaged or destroyed Iran’s Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites. For more analysis of the strikes, John Yang speaks with retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, a Hoover Institution senior fellow who served as national security adviser during Trump’s first term. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

PBS News Hour - World - How Iran could respond to U.S. strikes on its nuclear sites

Days before Trump ordered U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear program, Iran’s supreme leader warned that American military intervention would result in “irreparable damage.” For more on how Iran could respond to the attack, John Yang speaks with Karim Sadjadpour, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

PBS News Hour - World - Desperation mounts in Gaza as Palestinians are killed while seeking food aid

While the world’s attention is focused on Iran, Israel’s war in Gaza continues. Gaza health officials said Israeli strikes over the past 24 hours killed 51 Palestinians and wounded 104. John Yang speaks with James Elder, global spokesperson for UNICEF, about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Newshour - UN Security Council holds emergency meeting over Iran nuclear strikes

The UN Security Council is holding an emergency meeting to discuss the US airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites. The UN chief, Antonio Guterres, said that diplomacy and dialogue must prevail to prevent the Middle East from falling into a cycle of retaliation. We'll hear from a former security official in President Trump's first administration and assess the extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear operation caused by the US attacks.

Also in the programme: We speak to the wife of the Belarusian dissident Siarhei Tsikhanouski who has been released after five years in prison; and Syrian rescue workers say at least fifteen people have been killed in a suicide bombing at a church in the capital Damascus.

(Picture: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses delegates during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Credit: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

Newshour - US strikes Iran nuclear facilities and joins war

The United States has carried out massive precision strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran. The bombings early on Sunday at Isfahan, Natanz and Fordo took place after more than a week of Israeli air strikes on Iran. Republicans are divided on Trump's actions and Iranian foreign minister has accused Donald Trump of betraying the American people as well as Iran.

(Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation alongside U.S. Vice President JD Vance, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. U.S. June 21, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/Pool)