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Will carbon capture save the climate, or just let us keep burning fuel?

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:26:44 GMT

In today’s Big Story Podcast, very soon, Canada will introduce legislation to offer massive tax credits for projects that include a significant amount of carbon capture. In theory, this is a good way to make sure new projects don’t add much in emissions. But in practice, most carbon capture projects are used to allow us to keep harvesting fossil fuels, which will then be burned somewhere else, adding to emissions in Canada and beyond.Dr. Emily Eaton is a professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of Regina. She says carbon capture could be a useful tool if coupled with efforts to decrease emissions, but that it may, in practice, prove to be counterproductive.“This is sort of the new climate denialism, that is investing in things that appear to be solutions to the problems, while still engaging in the main sources of the carbon emissions in the first place,” says Eaton.So how does carbon capture technology work? Could it act...

British Museum loan to Greece coincides with dispute over demand to return Parthenon Marbles

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:26:44 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece’s Acropolis Museum launched an exhibition Tuesday that includes a renowned ancient Greek water jug from 420 B.C. on loan from the British Museum.The exhibit comes during a dispute between the countries over Greek demands for the return of sculptures from the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis that are housed in the British Museum.U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak canceled a planned meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in London a week ago, accusing him of seeking to “grandstand” by publicly campaigning for the return of the Parthenon Marbles while visiting Britain.Sunak said his government had no intention of re-opening the issue or amending legislation that would block the artifacts’ return.Mitsotakis described the incident as “an unfortunate moment” but added that the campaign for their return had received a boost after Sunak’s cancellation drew international attention.The British Museum said it was continuing talks with Greek authorities...

Woman struck, killed by vehicle on Dan Ryan

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:26:44 GMT

CHICAGO — A woman was struck and killed by a vehicle on the Dan Ryan Expressway.According to Illinois State Police, the crash happened around 2:25 a.m. Tuesday on the southbound Dan Ryan near 18th Street.ISP said a minor crash occurred and the woman exited the involved vehicle — and was then struck by another vehicle not involved in the original accident.All southbound lanes were shut down to traffic for several hours, but have reopened as of 7 a.m. Tuesday.This is a developing story. Check back for details.

Tuesday Forecast: Snow/rain showers with temps in upper 30s

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:26:44 GMT

CHICAGO — Rain/snow showers Tuesday morning. Some slushy accumulations between a half inch and an inch for the northern suburbs — but elsewhere little to no accumulation. A few rain showers are possible this afternoon. High: 39. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Cloudy, breezy tonight and a few possible showers/sprinkles. Low 31.Wednesday Forecast: Mix of clouds and sun in the morning and mostly cloudy in the afternoon with a slight chance of rain showers. High 42.Extended outlook looks quite mild for a couple days. High temps on Thursday get about 15 degrees above normal with highs in the mid 50s and lots of sunshine. More clouds on Friday but temps a couple degrees milder-- 57 the forecast high. Temps back into the upper 40s for Saturday with some rain likely and a chance for some light snow with highs back in the seasonal upper 30s. Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

70-year-old woman gives birth to twins in Uganda

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:26:44 GMT

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — A 70-year-old woman in Uganda has given birth to twins after receiving fertility treatment, making her one of the world's oldest new mothers.Safina Namukwaya gave birth to a boy and a girl on Wednesday via cesarean section at the hospital in the capital Kampala where she had been receiving in vitro fertilization treatment, said Arthur Matsiko, spokesman for the Women’s Hospital International and Fertility Center.“She's healthy. She's talking. She's walking around if they tell her to walk around the hospital,” Matsiko said Friday, speaking of Namukwaya, who had a daughter at the same facility in 2020 following IVF treatment. Vulnerable Americans are going into the holiday season without COVID-19 protections Namukwaya is the oldest woman to deliver a baby at the hospital, whose proprietor is a prominent gynecologist in the East African region. The hospital specializes in helping couples who struggle to have children.Breakthroughs in research are improving su...

Squirrels, other animals responsible for hundreds of Austin power outages a year

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:26:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Austin Energy says there are hundreds of animal-related power outages in the city throughout the year. The biggest culprit of these outages are squirrels. The most recent of these outages happened last week in north Austin near Parmer Lane. Austin Energy officials said almost 4,000 people were impacted when a squirrel came into contact with equipment on a transformer pole. "Any animal can cause a power outage when one part of the animal is touching a power line and another part is touching another piece of equipment such as the power pole," Matt Mitchell, a spokesperson with Austin Energy, explained. "The power will move through the animal to the pole in what is called a phase-to-ground power surge, and a power outage occurs."Snakes, birds, rats, and other rodents continuously cause outages throughout the year. A Pedernales Electric Cooperative spokesperson said animals cause 10% of unplanned outages every year in its service area. Austin Energy says snake caused...

Mozart's Christmas lights photo contest announces first place prize and more

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:26:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The holiday spirit is continuing with Mozart's "All About Texas Christmas Lights" photo contest. The annual contest is back with prizes for first, second and third place, as well as 15 standouts and the audience choice award. First place will receive an iPad Pro, second place will receive a $250 Mozart's gift card and third place will receive a $100 Mozart's gift card. All 15 standouts will be awarded a $25 Mozart's gift card. The audience choice award will be determined by which photo gets the most likes on the "All About Texas Christmas Lights" Facebook page. The winner will receive an iPad mini. LIST: Central Texas festive light displays this holiday season Photos of holiday lights from all across Texas are allowed, including Austin's Trail of Lights, Longhorn Lights, Peppermint Parkway and more. The photo contest is open to anyone in Texas and welcomes all ages. A list of rules can be found here. All photos must be submitted here by Tuesday, December 19 at mi...

TxDOT meets those impacted by 35 Central project

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:26:44 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Department of Transportation met Monday with members of the business community who would be impacted by the overhaul and expansion planned for Interstate 35 in Austin. The community meeting was with commercial tenants, property owners and those who own land along the I-35 Capital Express Central project corridor. RELATED: Austin’s I-35 expansion clears final hurdle before construction start Project detailsThe I-35 Central project is an eight-mile project track running from U.S. Hwy. 290 East to SH 71 and Ben White Boulevard.Project components include the addition of two non-tolled high-occupancy vehicle managed lanes in each direction along I-35, the removal of the upper decks and lowering of the I-35 main lanes between Airport Boulevard and Lady Bird Lake, as well as between Riverside Drive and Oltorf Street.Project designs also call for “boulevard-style segments” running through downtown, in addition to pedestrian and cyclist path improvements.The firs...

NYSP: Truck carrying natural gas crashes off I-88

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:26:44 GMT

DUANESBURG, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A box truck carrying multiple cylinders of compressed natural gas went off the roadway around 2:52 a.m. on Tuesday, leading to a hazmat response on I-88. New York State Police say the driver has been hospitalized with serious injuries, and there are no home or business evacuations at this time. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Check out NEWS10's traffic tracker. You can plan your route and see traffic delays in real-time!Police say an investigation found a commercial box truck went off the road and traveled down a steep ravine. The driver was removed from the car and taken to Albany Medical Center.I-88 has been closed in both directions at this time out of an abundance of caution until the hazardous material is secured and removed. NEWS10 confirmed with state police there are no evacuations in the area at this time.

Hochul responds to I-88 crash in Schenectady County

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:26:44 GMT

SCHENECTADY COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Governor Kathy Hochul has responded to a possible natural gas leak occurring in Schenectady County. The leak is tied to a crash that happened around 3 a.m. Tuesday morning on I-88 eastbound near exits 24 and 25. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! “Earlier this morning, I was briefed on the truck accident on I-88 in Schenectady County, and State personnel have been closely involved with the response efforts to protect the health and safety of New Yorkers," said Governor Kathy Hochul. "While details are still emerging, this accident may lead to a leak of natural gas, so an evacuation of the area is currently underway out of an abundance of caution. I have directed all relevant state agencies, including the Division of Homeland Security Services, Department of Transportation, and Department of Environmental Conservation, to participate in the emergency response efforts and we will continue to upda...