Austin news

• Travis County sergeant captures meteor on dashcam

  25-02-2022 23:13 via kxan.com
  
  TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A Travis County Sheriff's Office sergeant patrolling in east Travis County captured a cool view on his dashboard camera.
  TCSO tweeted dashcam footage of what looks like a meteor falling through the sky on Feb. 17.
  The video was captured by a patrol sergeant in eastern Travis County, TCSO said.
  
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• 'I didn't want to let him win': AISD crossing guard returns to work after being assaulted

  25-02-2022 22:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A crossing guard near Hill Elementary in the Austin Independent School District returned to work the day after he was assaulted, according to the district.
  Earlier this month, KXAN learned from AISD a crossing guard was assaulted near school grounds on Jan. 31, and he was treated and released from the hospital.PAST STORY: Crossing guard OK after assault near Hill Elementary, school saysNow, the district is recognizing that crossing guard, Rick Waters. He's a father, husband
  
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• John Deere opens technology hub near downtown Austin

  25-02-2022 22:23 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — You may see John Deere tractors mowing grass and cultivating crops. But, make no mistake, Deere thinks of itself now as a tech company that makes farming equipment.So, while Austin may not be especially fertile farming terrain, it's stocked with the type of tech talent Deere & Company wants to attract. With that in mind, the company on Feb. 24 said it is opening a 10,000-square-foot technology office just south of downtown Austin.The Deere tech hub wi
  
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• 2 Austin vaccine clinics closing, as Austin Public Health shifts vaccine strategy

  25-02-2022 22:17 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Public Health is closing two COVID-19 vaccine clinics for good this week, saying it's shifting away from mass community vaccinations toward a more focused, targeted outreach plan.
  The last day for the vaccine clinic at Delco Activity Center is Friday, and the last clinic at the Southeast Branch Library is Saturday, the agency announced. CDC loosens mask guidance — will Austin Public Health, AISD follow?This frees up APH teams to focus on its Mobile Vaccination
  
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• Cold rain returns tonight and Saturday

  25-02-2022 21:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The late-February cold snap continues as Austin's temperature has been below 40° since 6 a.m. Wednesday. Clouds are thickening up again tonight and drizzle/light rain increasing as yet another storm system approaches Texas.Light rain becomes likely overnight and through the day Saturday with 0.1"-0.5" of rain possible. Since temperatures will be warmer, we do not have any widespread icing concerns. The coldest Hill Country communities may see a brief ice threat on bridg
  
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• Has flu season peaked with minimal cases so far? Texas doctor weighs in

  25-02-2022 21:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported sporadic cases of influenza across the country this week, but said in some areas, flu activity is rising.“Texas has minimal flu activity,” said Dr. Lisa Gaw with Texas Children’s Urgent Care. CDC expected to loosen mask guidance — will Austin Public Health, AISD follow?Gaw said it’s too soon to tell if the numbers will continue to stay low.“There was an almost 1% jump in positive cas
  
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• Texas AG profiles: Who is running for Attorney General?

  25-02-2022 20:41 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar) — In the home stretch to the March 1 primary election, all eyes are on the crowded race for Texas' attorney general.New polling this week from The Hill/Emerson College shows incumbent Ken Paxton leading the Republican primary field. Paxton’s 43% support in the poll is below the 50% needed to avoid a runoff.While the office has been held by a Republican for decades, Democrats feel hopeful about the possibility of flipping the seat blue if Paxton is the nominee. The in
  
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• 'There's some people walking the streets crying': How you can help displaced Ukrainians

  25-02-2022 20:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Explosions continue to rock the capital of Ukraine.The Ukrainian president called on the world to take stronger action against Russia, asking for help defending the country.At least 140 people are dead and 316 injured."We, just a few hours ago, got the 'go dark' call and the siren, so we believe that they may--the Russians may be coming through this way," said Mark Davis.
  Davis is in Mykolaiv, a city in Southern Ukraine. He runs two orphanages in nearby cities through his regist
  
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• How you can help displaced Ukrainians

  25-02-2022 20:09 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As Russia's attack on Ukraine intensifies, U.S. charity groups — and even Austinites — are stepping up humanitarian efforts.
  In a press release Thursday, Save the Children, a global nonprofit, expressed concern for more than 400,000 children in Eastern Ukraine the group said to live in areas "at high risk of the direct impacts of the presence of soldiers and artillery, including being injured or killed by guns, landmines and explosive weapons, or being displaced from
  
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• More than 100 guns were caught at Austin airport security checkpoints in 2021

  25-02-2022 19:56 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Discoveries of handguns going through security checkpoints at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport were at a four-year high in 2021, and the Transportation Security Administration is worried about that.In a press release Friday, the TSA said 110 handguns were confiscated at AUS security checkpoints in 2021, up from 93 in 2018 before the lack of passengers due to the pandemic caused those numbers to drop significantly in 2019 and 2020. So far in 2022, 16 guns have been cau
  
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• Lane closures underway in north Austin due to struck gas line

  25-02-2022 19:55 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Crews are on the scene of a gas line that has been struck in north Austin.
  The Austin Fire Department said a gas line was hit at N. Lamar and Ferguson Drive on Friday morning.
  Lane closures were underway near the entrance to the China Shopping Center, AFD said.
  It was unclear if anyone was evacuated.
  According to AFD, people in the food trailers nearby smelled gas.
  Expect delays in the area.
  
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• CDC loosens mask guidance — will Austin Public Health, AISD follow?

  25-02-2022 19:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Center for Disease Control dramatically updated its guidance surrounding mask wearing Friday to allow most Americans to ditch masks and many school districts to no longer recommend universal masking.CDC leaders said Thursday that community risk-levels will now be determined by three metrics: new hospitalizations for COVID-19, current hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients and new COVID-19 cases.That framework will put counties in "low," "medium" or "high" risk. In both
  
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• CDC expected to loosen mask guidance — will Austin Public Health, AISD follow?

  25-02-2022 19:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Center for Disease Control will update its guidance surrounding mask wearing, sources familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The new guidance would mean most Americans will no longer be advised to wear masks in indoor public settings.
  The change could also impact schools, according to those sources.
  But as has been the case throughout the pandemic, local rules can be stronger than CDC recommendations, and in Austin-Travis County's case, Stage 4 COVID-19 risk-b
  
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• Report: Requests for abortion pills spike following SB8 passage in Texas

  25-02-2022 18:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A report published by the Journal of the American Medical Association and led by a University of Texas at Austin researcher shows a significant increase in Texans requesting abortion pills since SB8 went into effect.
  Senate Bill 8, known as the Texas Heartbeat Act, prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. Fetal heartbeats can be detected as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, before most women even know they are pregnant.RELATED: Texas lawmakers tried to ha
  
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• Report: Requests for abortion pills spike following SB 8 passage in Texas

  25-02-2022 18:48 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN, TEXAS (KXAN) — A report published by the Journal of the American Medical Association and led by a University of Texas at Austin researcher shows a significant increase in Texans requesting abortion pills since SB 8 went into effect.
  Senate Bill 8, known as the Texas heartbeat bill, prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected. Fetal heartbeats can be detected as early as six weeks into a pregnancy before most women even know they are pregnant.RELATED: Texas lawmakers
  
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• Here's why journalists are using Kyiv instead of Kiev, and how to pronounce it

  25-02-2022 18:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's Kyiv (k’ev) not Kiev (key-ev).
  In working to educate our viewers and readers about the attack of Ukraine by Russia, KXAN asked you to send your questions about the conflict.One of the questions that emerged was from KXAN viewer Wendi, who asked, "When and why did the spelling of Kyiv change, and what is the correct pronunciation?"Wendi is referring to the Russian spelling and pronunciation of Ukraine's capital, Kiev. That was the version used widely in the Englis
  
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• Here's why journalists are using Kyiv instead of Keiv, and how to pronounce it

  25-02-2022 18:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's Kyiv (k’ev) not Keiv (key-ev).
  In working to educate our viewers and readers about the attack of Ukraine by Russia, KXAN asked you to send your questions about the conflict.One of the questions that emerged was from KXAN viewer Wendi, who asked, "When and why did the spelling of Kyiv change, and what is the correct pronunciation?"Wendi is referring to the Russian spelling and pronunciation of Ukraine's capital, Keiv. That was the version used widely in the Englis
  
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• More construction tied to Elon Musk planned south of Tesla's Austin-area factory

  25-02-2022 18:18 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) — Elon Musk appears to be preparing to build across the Colorado River from Tesla Inc.'s Austin-area gigafactory.Construction is planned to begin in June for an $11 million, 220,000-square-foot warehouse on land owned by Horse Ranch LLC, an entity tied to multibillionaire Musk, according to Feb. 23 filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. These kinds of filings are often preliminary and do not necessarily reflect th
  
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• WATCH LIVE: Biden introduces Ketanji Brown Jackson as Supreme Court nominee

  25-02-2022 17:55 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (NewsNation Now) — President Joe Biden announced Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as his nominee to replace outgoing Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Friday.
  Jackson is the first Black woman selected to serve on the nation's highest court.
  "I’m proud to announce that I am nominating Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve on the Supreme Court. Currently serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, she is one of our nation’s brightest legal minds a
  
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• Biden taps Ketanji Brown Jackson for Supreme Court nominee

  25-02-2022 17:55 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (NewsNation Now) — President Joe Biden announced Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as his nominee to replace outgoing Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer Friday.
  Jackson is the first Black woman selected to serve on the nation's highest court.
  "I’m proud to announce that I am nominating Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve on the Supreme Court. Currently serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, she is one of our nation’s brightest legal minds a
  
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• Biden nominates Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court

  25-02-2022 17:55 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (NewsNation Now) — President Joe Biden announced Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as his nominee to replace outgoing Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer on Friday.
  Jackson is the first Black woman selected to serve on the nation's highest court.
  “I am pleased to nominate Judge Jackson who will bring extraordinary qualifications, deep experience and intellect, and a rigorous judicial record to the court,” said President Biden. Will the Ukraine conflict go nuclea
  
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• Final Whistle ATX: New season, new hope for Austin FC

  25-02-2022 17:54 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — With spring just around the corner, hope springs eternal for MLS fans as a new season kicks off this weekend.What you should expect from Austin FC’s 2nd seasonOn this episode of Final Whistle ATX, KXAN's Nick Bannin, Harley Tamplin and Wyatt Matson look back on an eventful offseason for Austin FC and discuss reasons for optimism heading into the club's 2022 campaign.Drive, train or Uber? The best ways to travel to and from Q2 Stadium during Austin FC’s second se
  
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• Bonds reduced for Texas brothers accused of killing stepfather

  25-02-2022 17:26 via kxan.com
  
  PHARR, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The two brothers charged in connection to the murder of their stepfather have had their bonds reduced. The brothers and a friend are accused of killing their stepfather following the accusation of sexual assault from a relative against the stepfather.
  According to Hidalgo County public records, the bonds for Christian Treviño and Alejandro Treviño have been reduced to $150,000 each. Related: Three charged in killing man wanted for sexual assault
  
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• Adult, child killed in crash on SH 195 near Florence

  25-02-2022 17:22 via kxan.com
  
  WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Two people died Wednesday in a crash on State Highway 195 in Williamson County, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.Texa DPS said the crash happened about three miles south of Florence on SH 195 at 4:35 a.m.
  A 2017 Dodge Journey was going south on the highway when it hit a semi-truck and trailer. Texas DPS said the Journey "failed to control its speed and struck the trailer."After it hit the trailer, the Journey went across the northbound lanes and
  
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• Texas leaders share reactions to Biden's SCOTUS nominee

  25-02-2022 16:42 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas leaders are sharing their reactions to President Joe Biden selecting Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as his Supreme Court justice nominee.
  The White House released a statement Friday morning confirming Biden's intent to nominate Jackson, who he called "one of the nation’s brightest legal minds." She currently serves as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. If confirmed, she'll become the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
  "Judge Ja
  
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• Biden to pick Ketanji Brown Jackson for Supreme Court: AP source

  25-02-2022 14:57 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday will nominate federal appeals court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, according to a person familiar with the matter, making her the first Black woman selected to serve on a court that once declared her race unworthy of citizenship and endorsed segregation.In Jackson, Biden delivers on a campaign promise to make the historic appointment and to further diversify a court that was made up entirely of white men for almos
  
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• What you should expect from Austin FC's 2nd season

  25-02-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC starts the 2022 season Saturday with high hopes and expectations that this second year of soccer will net better results than the first.New franchises face a daunting task of building an entire team from scratch. Often, it takes several years for a team to find its identity and real success — no matter the sport. Where does Austin FC rank in MLS attendance after inaugural season?In the case of MLS, the fairy tale, rags-to-riches story is possible for new tea
  
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• What should you expect from Austin FC's 2nd season

  25-02-2022 14:00 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin FC starts the 2022 season Saturday with high hopes and expectations that this second year of soccer will net better results than the first.New franchises face a daunting task of building an entire team from scratch. Often, it takes several years for a team to find its identity and real success — no matter the sport. Where does Austin FC rank in MLS attendance after inaugural season?In the case of MLS, the fairy tale, rags-to-riches story is possible for new tea
  
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• Burnet Road development booming as Austin FC kicks off second season

  25-02-2022 13:40 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Driving up and down the northern section of the Burnet Road Corridor near Q2 Stadium and The Domain, construction sites are not uncommon.
  However, for longtime businesses in the area, it's a fairly new change. Those at Lighting Incorporated have called Burnet Road home since 1994.Austin FC releases 2022 TV schedule"Back in '94, it was just us, IBM, and J. J. Pickle Research Campus and we were kind of out here on our own," said Gabriel Trinidad, the general manager at Lighti
  
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• Amber Alert issued for 11-month-old Fort Worth girl

  25-02-2022 13:17 via kxan.com
  
  FORT WORTH, Texas (KXAN) — An Amber Alert has been issued for an 11-month-old girl last seen Thursday night in Fort Worth.Authorities are looking for Harmony Rodriguez and the man suspected in her abduction, 26-year-old Lancelot Dawkins. Both were last seen in the 13500 block of Little River Road in Fort Worth. That's the address for an apartment complex in the northern part of the city just east of Interstate 35W.Rodriguez is described by authorities as a Black girl with brown eyes and bl
  
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• Abducted 11-month-old Fort Worth girl found safe in New Mexico

  25-02-2022 13:17 via kxan.com
  
  FORT WORTH, Texas (KXAN) — The 11-month-old girl at the center of an Amber Alert on Friday has been found safe in New Mexico, the Fort Worth Police Chief said.Chief Neil Noakes posted a video on the FWPD's Twitter account announcing the news at 12:23 p.m., about 10 hours after the Texas Department of Public Safety issued the alert for Harmony Rodriguez.Noakes also said the suspect, identified in the alert as 26-year-old Lancelot Dawkins, was arrested and "will face numerous charges from th
  
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• 'It's a nightmare': Ukrainians in Central Texas fear for families abroad

  25-02-2022 04:06 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Scared, upset and uncertain: those are the range of emotions local families said they are feeling as they watch their loved ones deal with the turmoil in Ukraine.Dmytro Chornopyshchuk's parents and grandparents enjoy a peaceful dinner mere hours before missile strikes and explosions echoed throughout Ukraine. (Courtesy: Dmytro Chornopyshchuk)Some people there have no idea what to do next, while others are getting ready to defend themselves. Austin demonstrators ‘terri
  
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• Retired APD officer gives perspective on indictments, 2020 protests

  25-02-2022 03:34 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Richard Mabe retired from the Austin Police Department in 2020. During the May 2020 protests, he worked the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift."Full gear, ready to go," he said.Deposition details APD’s use-of-force reporting during protestsHis shift started near East Riverside and Interstate 35, where he said the goal was to guide protestors back to Congress and South First Street. They eventually made their way to city hall."Once we got there we kind of just released the protest
  
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• Widespread rain returns this weekend

  25-02-2022 03:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — A much friendlier commute to start our Friday as most roads across Central Texas are now dry.A few spots of light freezing drizzle and drizzle are struggling to survive in our far southeastern counties this morning. Little to no accumulation is expecting, allowing for a much easier morning commute.
  We are tracking another approaching storm system that will quickly increase cloud cover again Friday, with gray and cold weather continuing. High temperatures climb above 40 degr
  
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• Freezing cold temperatures, but dry roads in the morning

  25-02-2022 03:30 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — Temperatures warmed above freezing nearly everywhere Thursday afternoon, allowing icy bridges and overpasses to melt. As drier north winds blow in overnight, any remaining moisture should be scoured from the air and the roadways, limiting additional icing concerns going forward.Thursday morning's commute brought icy conditions responsible for more 100 crashes in the Austin Metro area, at least 13 of which were rollovers. PHOTOS: Ice leads to numerous car accidents and closu
  
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• Texans should expect soaring oil, gas prices amid Russian invasion of Ukraine

  25-02-2022 02:57 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (Nexstar/AP) — The conflict in Ukraine is already translating to soaring oil prices — something that is normally welcomed by the state’s producers, but it could end up hurting consumers. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent the stock and energy markets into a frenzy, swinging low then high Thursday. Oil prices climbed above $100 per barrel as Russia began attacking Ukraine — the highest level since 2014. But oil prices gave back much of their gains after Bi
  
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• How Russia's invasion of Ukraine could affect industries in Austin

  25-02-2022 01:16 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) — The White House unleashed another round of economic sanctions against Russia Thursday, in an effort to halt the Kremlin's invasion.
  They said the unprecedented measures cut off more than half of Russia's high-tech imports, restricting things like semiconductors, encryption security and lasers that are hoped to cripple Russia's industrial base. Biden unveils ‘further consequences’ over Russian attackThe U.S. semiconductor industry said Thursday it's committed to
  
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• CDC to significantly ease pandemic mask guidelines Friday

  25-02-2022 00:46 via kxan.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration will significantly loosen federal mask-wearing guidelines to protect against COVID-19 transmission on Friday, according to two people familiar with the matter, meaning most Americans will no longer be advised to wear masks in indoor public settings.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday will announce a change to the metrics it uses to determine whether to recommend face coverings, shifting from looking at COVID-19 case counts to
  
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• Is Russia serious about nukes? UT Austin expert weighs in

  25-02-2022 00:13 via kxan.com
  
  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In a chilling reference to his nuclear capabilities, Russian President Vladimir Putin raised the stakes for interfering with the invasion of Ukraine saying anyone who tried to interfere would “lead to consequences you have never seen in history."
  But is Russia serious about nukes? A University of Texas professor that teaches courses on international relations theory, international political economy, and international security and is also the author of The Invisible Hand of
  
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