Stories set in a world that has been ruined by some overwhelming catastrophe are commonly categorized as "post-apocalyptic fiction," a sub-genre of speculative fiction -- for the time being at least, because the world isn't ruined yet.
So governments of all colours have long considered that military action, on an exceptional basis, where necessary and proportionate, and as a last resort, to avert an overwhelming humanitarian catastrophe is permissible under international law.
As Australians poured out condolences, and Mr Howard pledged A$1 billion ($760m) in aid to Indonesia, its neighbour and the country worst hit, there was a crashing silence from Mr Latham.Over the next two weeks, the media demanded to know why the opposition leader had made no statement on such an overwhelming regional catastrophe.
Should palliative care be a necessity or a luxury during an overwhelming health catastrophe?
But "weakening Hamas" by producing mass civilian casualties and an overwhelming humanitarian catastrophe, that is something else.
A beautiful abstraction by Ross Bleckner, of wandering blurred lights aglow in a wax-infused black ground, elegizes the decade's overwhelming catastrophe of AIDS, which decimated the city's cultural circles.
(The agreement includes a clause that calls for negotiating stricter targets every five years). Under those conditions, extreme weather, flooding and drought would create millions of refugees and lead to environmental catastrophe, an overwhelming majority of scientists say.
Cases have nevertheless arisen (as in northern Iraq in 1991) when, in the light of all the circumstances, a limited use of force was justifiable in support of purposes laid down by the security council but without the council's express authorisation when that was the only means to avert an immediate and overwhelming humanitarian catastrophe.
He found himself battling against manmade catastrophes and in situations where strength and an overwhelming desire to survive became paramount.
"It was an overwhelming shock.
