VAS

Oct 21 2024SCIENCE

Ramanujan’s Math: Still Amazing and Mysterious

In 2011, a young mathematician named Hussein Mourtada had a breakthrough. He found a hidden structure in mathematical curves that had stumped others for a century. This structure was first spotted by an Indian math whiz named Srinivasa Ramanujan over 100 years ago. Ramanujan didn’t go to college or

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Oct 18 2024POLITICS

Trump: Talking to Putin is a 'Smart Thing'

Former President Donald Trump dodged a question about whether he's been in touch with Russian President Vladimir Putin since leaving office. He was interviewed by Bloomberg editor-in-chief John Micklethwait at the Economic Club of Chicago. Journalist Bob Woodward's latest book, "War, " claims Trump

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Oct 18 2024POLITICS

Ukraine’s NATO Dream: Zelenskyy’s Bold War Plan

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has a big idea to end the war with Russia by next year. He believes it could happen if Ukraine joins NATO right away. However, some of Ukraine’s Western allies are not so sure about this plan. They worry that adding Ukraine to NATO while the war is still going

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Oct 18 2024POLITICS

Ukraine's Future: NATO Membership or Nuclear Weapons?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently discussed Ukraine's need for NATO membership. He highlighted that 30 years ago, Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons as part of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. This deal promised security assurances from Russia, the UK, and the US in exchange for Ukraine'

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Oct 14 2024CRIME

A Harmful Hoax: Home Invasion Turns Deadly

In a deceitful ploy, a man impersonated a utility worker to trick his way into a Michigan home. Sadly, this ruse led to the murder of 72-year-old Hussein Murray and the assault of his wife. The scammer, Carlos Jose Hernandez, 37, from Dearborn, Michigan, was later caught in Louisiana while police hu

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Oct 13 2024CRIME

Securing Transit: A Focus on Fare Evaders to Boost Safety

Transit systems are investing in new security measures to combat fare evasion, hoping to boost safety and attract more riders. One example is the MetroLink in the St. Louis area, which is installing 8-foot metal gates to ensure riders have valid fare cards. This is a significant shift from their pre

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Oct 12 2024CRIME

Make Transit Safer: Are Gates the Answer?

Imagine hopping on a train after a long day at work. You expect a safe journey home, but are worried about the crime that happens on public transit. This is a common concern. Transit systems are taking steps to assure riders like Dominique Davenport, who once heard gunshots at a MetroLink station in

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Oct 12 2024CRIME

Boosting Transit Safety: New Gates and Better Enforcement

In East St. Louis, Illinois, a tragedy at a MetroLink station highlighted the need for improved safety in public transit. A city that once bustled with commuters now sees about 74% of pre-pandemic riders returning as of September 2023. This has prompted transit systems to tackle the issue of safety

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Oct 12 2024CRIME

Why Transit Systems Are Now Focusing on Fraud

Ever had a scary moment on a train platform? Dominique Davenport faced gunshots while waiting for a ride. He wasn't alone; many riders feel anxious due to transit crimes. Systems like St. Louis' MetroLink, known for its lax fare enforcement, aim to change that. They're adding security gates, a far c

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Oct 10 2024ENVIRONMENT

The Great Raccoon Gathering: Lessons from Poulsbo

Picture a backyard packed with 100 hungry raccoons. This wasn't a story from a children's book, but a real-life event in Poulsbo, Washington. A lady had been feeding raccoons for years with no issues, but suddenly, the population skyrocketed. She faced a massive group of bushy-tailed critters outsid

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