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The wild boar paradox and the future of nuclear energy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:19 GMT

In today’s Big Story Podcast, in many regions of Europe, wild boars roam the landscape. Also, they’re radioactive. For a long time, it was assumed the Chernobyl disaster was the cause, and that’s still partly true. But the real answer goes back even further and offers us a glimpse of how the by-products of nuclear technology can lay dormant for decades, only detected in the most visible part of a system we’re still learning to understand.Becky Ferreira, a science writer and regular contributor at Motherboard, is on today’s episode.“I think it was a really huge shock because nobody had really considered that the weapons testing would still be around in that quantity,” said Ferreira.This is the wild boar paradox, and this is what it can teach us about nuclear technologies past, present and future.You can subscribe to The Big Story podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google and Spotify.You can also find it at thebigstorypodcast.ca.

A Chinese dissident in transit at a Taiwan airport pleads for help in seeking asylum

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:19 GMT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A Chinese dissident known for posting pictures on social media commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown said Friday he had fled to Taiwan and pleaded for help seeking asylum in the United States or Canada.In a video that appeared to be self-shot and posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Cheng Siming said he was in the transit area at Taoyuan International Airport.“In order to hide from China’s political persecution, I have now arrived in Taiwan,” Cheng said in the video, which was posted about 7 a.m. He added that he hopes to get asylum in the U.S. or Canada.In an interview with Taiwan broadcaster TBVS, Chen said he took the opportunity to transit in Taiwan because it’s a “democratic and free country” and that it was safer than going through Thailand or Laos.It is unclear how Cheng was able to travel to Taiwan, and The Associated Press has not been able to reach him for comment. Taiwan is a self-governing island that is claimed by China.In May,...

Woman killed in hit-and-run on South Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:19 GMT

CHICAGO — A woman was killed in a hit-and-run in the city's Washington Park neighborhood.Police responded to a traffic crash on the 5900 block of South King Drive around 10:47 p.m. Thursday. Upon arrival, officers discovered a woman, in her 40s, on the ground in the middle of the road.The woman was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.According to police, further investigation found the woman was struck by a vehicle, which then fled the scene.Police said it does not appear the victim was in a crosswalk. Man charged with 1st degree murder in South Side strangling investigation No one is in custody. Area One Detectives are investigating.

Dean's Weekender: 'Birthday Candles,' Bryan Callen and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:19 GMT

Check out Dean's Weekender for the latest events coming to the Chicagoland area this weekend.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Dean's Reviews: 'Dumb Money'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:19 GMT

Check out Dean's reviews on the new film 'Dumb Money' that hits theaters Friday.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

East Coast under tropical storm warning with landfall forecast in North Carolina

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:19 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — A storm moving closer to the U.S. East Coast will deliver tropical storm conditions to North Carolina on Friday, the National Hurricane Center said.The storm was off the coast of South Carolina and North Carolina early Friday with top sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph). Cities preparing for flooding, storm surges in Hampton Roads, NC As of Friday morning, the storm was located about 330 miles (530 kilometers) southeast of Charleston, South Carolina, and about 325 miles (525 kilometers) south Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and moving north around 14 mph (22 kph), the center said.Rainfall of 3 to 5 inches (7.6 to 12.7 centimeters), with localized amounts up to 7 inches (17.7 centimeters), was expected across eastern North Carolina and into southeast Virginia through Saturday, the center said.Though the system had reached tropical storm strength, it was yet to be given a name and the center was still referring to it as Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen on Friday mornin...

Meet the director, costume designer keeping one of Austin's oldest Ballet Folklórico groups alive

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:19 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A traditional Mexican dance with historic roots is alive and well in Texas’ capital city.  If you ask long-time Austinites, much of the credit is owed to a man named Chuy Chacon.“My first name is Jesus, but everyone knows me as Chuy Chacon," the director and costume designer for Roy Lozano's Ballet Folklórico de Texas in Austin said. Stitch by stitch, one of the most important parts of the traditional Mexican folk dance, starts in a small room behind Chacon’s dance studio.  "Some of the costumes take about 12 yards of fabric," Chacon said. "It has to have a lot of fabric for the movement.”Through his costumes and choreography, Chaon has had a hand in captivating audiences for generations.  “Ballet Folklórico represents the traditions, the music and the costumes for a nation…every country has a folklore," he said. “Here in Texas, we celebrate more [of] the folklore from Mexico because we are very close...a lot of skirts, a lot of ladies trying to flirt ...

Police chase ends in Dupo, Illinois area, officers investigating

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:19 GMT

DUPO, Ill. - Columbia Police apprehended a man on Interstate 255 Friday morning after a long-distance pursuit.Our Bommarito Automotive Group SkyFOX helicopter was flying over the area, located on I-255 northbound in the Dupo area at Route 3, where sparks could be seen as the multiple tires on the vehicle were missing. After the chase ended, a female passenger was taken into custody alongside the male driver. Guns N’ Roses Busch Stadium show canceled Monroe County Police arrived at the scene to help, as the cause of the chase has not yet been revealed.FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

Disney On Ice coming to Chaifetz Arena

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:19 GMT

ST. LOUIS - You don't have to travel to Florida to experience the wonderful world of Disney this weekend. That's because it's coming here to St. Louis.Disney On Ice will be at the Chaifetz Arena. You can see characters from Encanto and Frozen. Plus, everyone's favorite, Mickey Mouse and his friends. Due to popular demand, an additional show has been added. Guns N’ Roses Busch Stadium show canceled There's now a show Monday at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are still available for shows happening this weekend. There's one tonight at 7 and three shows Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.You can order tickets at DisneyOnIce.com.

St. Louis native and blues musician Marquise Knox performing at 'Blues & Brews' event tonight

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:19:19 GMT

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis native and blues musician Marquise Knox will be performing for much of the night.As part of his role as music advisor for the Blues, Knox has recorded an original song for the team's pre-game intro video for the 2023–2024 season. Inmate who escaped Mercy South Hospital back in custody The award-winning musician will debut his new anthem during the team's regular-season home opener on Saturday, October 14.