Crash Course: Radiation fears from occupied Chernobyl

Experts are worried that military incursions could kick up plumes of radioactive dust Your daily update from [Salon](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0QWaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tL1cDc3BjQgpiFtfEGGKVZYpLUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~). As Russia invades Chernobyl, many fear artillery could spread radioactive dust across the continent On April 26, 1986, an accident in a reactor at the [Chernobyl](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMDUvMjAvY2hlcm5vYnlsLXJhZGlhdGlvbi1zdXJnZS1jYXVzZS1mb3ItY29uY2Vybi1zYXktc2NpZW50aXN0c19wYXJ0bmVyL1cDc3BjQgpiFtfEGGKVZYpLUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) Nuclear Power Plant led to the worst nuclear disaster in history. The [radioactive fallout](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0QlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tL3RvcGljL2NoZXJub2J5bFcDc3BjQgpiFtfEGGKVZYpLUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) covered not only parts of Ukraine but also areas of Belarus and Russia — more than 90,000 square miles — in an area that was quickly labeled an exclusion zone because it was too dangerous to inhabit. Radioactive isotopes caused by the explosion of the fourth reactor started in the sky and settled into the ground, lodging into the organs of people and animals alike. [Read the rest from Matthew Rozsa](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjQvY2hlcm5vYnlsLXJhZGlhdGlvbi11a3JhaW5lL1cDc3BjQgpiFtfEGGKVZYpLUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~)[.](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0Q9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjQvY2hlcm5vYnlsLXJhZGlhdGlvbi11a3JhaW5lL1cDc3BjQgpiFtfEGGKVZYpLUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) (Volodymyr Tarasov/ Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images) Biden promises punishing sanctions on Russia, stops short of Putin President Biden on Thursday [called](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2JzbmV3cy5jb20vbGl2ZS11cGRhdGVzL3J1c3NpYS11a3JhaW5lLXNhbmN0aW9ucy1iaWRlbi1zcGVlY2gtd2F0Y2gtbGl2ZS1zdHJlYW0tdG9kYXktMDItMjQtMjAyMi9XA3NwY0IKYhbXxBhilWWKS1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) Russia's invasion into Ukraine "a premeditated attack" and announced the rollout of "additional strong sanctions" in a broad effort to isolate Russia from the rest of the global economy. "Today I'm authorizing additional strong sanctions, and new limitations on what can be exported to Russia," Biden said at a White house press conference. "This is going to impose a severe cost on the Russian economy both immediately and over time." "Putin is the aggressor," he added. "Putin chose this war. And now he and his country will bear the consequences." [Read the rest from Jon Skolnik](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjQvYmlkZW4tcHJvbWlzZXMtcHVuaXNoaW5nLXNhbmN0aW9ucy1vbi1ydXNzaWEtc3RvcHMtc2hvcnQtb2YtcHV0aW4vVwNzcGNCCmIW18QYYpVliktSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~) (Photo illustration by Salon/Getty Images) Promotion from Neiman marcus [Learn more](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0QiaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvNDYxZzlieGJ3d1cDc3BjQgpiFtfEGGKVZYpLUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) Get only the best [Learn more](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0QiaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvNDYxZzlieGJ3d1cDc3BjQgpiFtfEGGKVZYpLUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) - Why "[Law & Order](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0Q_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjQvbGF3LWFuZC1vcmRlci1yZXR1cm4tY29wcy1uYmMvVwNzcGNCCmIW18QYYpVliktSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~)" has returned, even if you didn't ask for it - CPAC opens and immediately devolves into [GOP dissent over Ukraine](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjQvY3BhYy1vcGVucy1hbmQtaW1tZWRpYXRlbHktZGlzc29sdmVzLWludG8tZGlzc2VudC1vdmVyLXVrcmFpbmUvVwNzcGNCCmIW18QYYpVliktSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~) - Authorities in Russia [warn against anti-war protests](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RCaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjQvYXV0aG9yaXRpZXMtaW4td2Fybi1hZ2FpbnN0LWFudGkvVwNzcGNCCmIW18QYYpVliktSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~) - Having a dog or cat can [slow cognitive decline in seniors](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjQvaGF2aW5nLWEtZG9nLW9yLWNhdC1jYW4tc2xvdy1jb2duaXRpdmUtZGVjbGluZS1pbi1zZW5pb3JzLW5ldy1zdHVkeS1maW5kcy9XA3NwY0IKYhbXxBhilWWKS1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo), new study finds - Investigators reveal new details about Bob Saget’s death, say it’s “[definitely an unusual case](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0QzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjQvYm9iLXNhZ2V0LWF1dG9wc3kvVwNzcGNCCmIW18QYYpVliktSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~)” - [Sea levels have been rising](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RqaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjQvc2VhLWxldmVscy1oYXZlLWJlZW4tcmlzaW5nLXNpbmNlLXRoZS1hbWVyaWNhbi1jaXZpbC13YXItdGhlLXJlYXNvbi1jb2FsL1cDc3BjQgpiFtfEGGKVZYpLUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) since the American Civil War. The reason? Coal - Spotify [quietly removes several Alex Jones episodes](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RNaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjQvc3BvdGlmeS1yZW1vdmVzLWFsZXgtam9uZXMtcG9kY2FzdC1lcGlzb2Rlcy9XA3NwY0IKYhbXxBhilWWKS1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) that have been mysteriously uploaded recently - Rick Scott shows why McConnell didn’t want to release platform as [GOP calls to hike taxes on poor](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0R4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjQvcmljay1zY290dC1zaG93cy13aHktbWNjb25uZWxsLWRpZG50LXdhbnQtdG8tcmVsZWFzZS1wbGF0Zm9ybS1hcy1jYWxscy10by1oaWtlLW9uLXBvb3IvVwNzcGNCCmIW18QYYpVliktSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~) - Made with the first [vegan "buttermilk,"](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0R9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjQvbWFkZS13aXRoLXRoZS1maXJzdC12ZWdhbi1idXR0ZXJtaWxrLWhvdy1kby10aGVzZS1zYWxhZC1kcmVzc2luZ3MtY29tcGFyZS10by10aGUtcmVhbC10aGluZy9XA3NwY0IKYhbXxBhilWWKS1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) how do these salad dressings compare to the real thing? - [Trump praises "very smart" Putin](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RPaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjQvcHJhaXNlcy12ZXJ5LXNtYXJ0LXB1dGluLWZvci1pbnZhZGluZy11a3JhaW5lL1cDc3BjQgpiFtfEGGKVZYpLUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) for invading Ukraine - [Laura Ingraham corrects Trump](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjQvY29ycmVjdHMtYWZ0ZXItaGUtbWlzdGFrZW5seS10aGlua3MtdXMtdHJvb3BzLW5vdC1ydXNzaWFucy1zdG9ybWVkLXVrcmFpbmUvVwNzcGNCCmIW18QYYpVliktSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~) after he mistakenly thinks US troops, not Russians, stormed Ukraine - Road salt runoff is making freshwater lakes [inhospitable](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0Q-aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjQvZGUtaWNpbmctY2hlbWljYWxzLXJvYWQtc2FsdC9XA3NwY0IKYhbXxBhilWWKS1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) Not a subscriber yet? [Sign up](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RVaHR0cHM6Ly9zYWxvbi51czgubGlzdC1tYW5hZ2UuY29tL3N1YnNjcmliZT91PTcxY2IzZThhNmU5NjM5YzgxMDIzY2Q0MjcmaWQ9NWRlZGEyYWFhN1cDc3BjQgpiFtfEGGKVZYpLUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) to receive Crash Course. Republicans pick Putin over democracy — and Rick Scott's creepy blueprint for America shows why On the surface, it seems like [Republicans can't decide how they feelÂ](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RGaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjMvcHV0aW4tbGVhdmVzLXNwbGludGVyZWQtYW5kLWNvbmZ1c2VkL1cDc3BjQgpiFtfEGGKVZYpLUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~)about Russian President Vladimir Putin invading the sovereign country of Ukraine. On one hand, the more old guard GOP leadership is formally denouncing Putin and trying to score their political points against Joe Biden by claiming that this is evidence that the U.S. president is "weak." But both their de facto leader, [Donald Trump](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjIvdHJ1bXAtZm9ybWVyLXNlY3JldGFyeS1vZi1zdGF0ZS1taWtlLXBvbXBlby1wcmFpc2UtcHV0aW4td2hpbGUtYmFzaGluZy1iaWRlbi9XA3NwY0IKYhbXxBhilWWKS1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo), and their de facto party agenda-setter, [Tucker Carlson](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0QzaHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9BY3luL3N0YXR1cy8xNDk2MjkwODQ0Nzk3OTkyOTYwVwNzcGNCCmIW18QYYpVliktSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~), have been out there making their love and support of Putin known. As with every internal conflict in the GOP, the smart bet is the Trumpian wing will win over the traditional conservatives, even though it once again means that Republicans will be siding against America and democracy in favor of the forces of authoritarianism. [Read more from Amanda Marcotte](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjQvcGljay1wdXRpbi1vdmVyLWRlbW9jcmFjeS0tYW5kLXJpY2stc2NvdHRzLWNyZWVweS1ibHVlcHJpbnQtZm9yLWFtZXJpY2Etc2hvd3Mtd2h5L1cDc3BjQgpiFtfEGGKVZYpLUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~). (Photo illustration by Salon/Getty Images) - "What happens when Americans stay in the same house forever?" [Vox](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0R0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudm94LmNvbS8yMjkzOTAzOC9yZW50cy1yaXNpbmctaG9tZS1wcmljZXMtYW1lcmljYW5zLW1vdmluZy1yZXNpZGVudGlhbC1zdGFnbmF0aW9uLXN0dWNrLW1vYmlsaXR5LWZyZWVkb21XA3NwY0IKYhbXxBhilWWKS1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - "Simpsons" Showrunner Calls Russia-Ukraine Conflict Prediction “Very Sad” and Not Coincidental," [The Hollywood Reporter](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0TCaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaG9sbHl3b29kcmVwb3J0ZXIuY29tL3R2L3R2LWZlYXR1cmVzL3NpbXBzb25zLWFsLWplYW4tc2F5cy1ydXNzaWEtdWtyYWluZS1wcmVkaWN0aW9uLW5vdC1jb2luY2lkZW50YWwtMTIzNTA5OTAwMC8_ZmJjbGlkPUl3QVIxaUdjVlVXU3U0ZGhKMU9mZEpLdnpqVnI1ME4xTmhMaFB1MjNULWUySWRiNnFKNWdQRzZjUlRKWXdXA3NwY0IKYhbXxBhilWWKS1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - "Sean Penn on the Ground in Ukraine Filming Documentary About Russia’s Invasion," [Variety](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RcaHR0cHM6Ly92YXJpZXR5LmNvbS8yMDIyL2ZpbG0vbmV3cy9zZWFuLXBlbm4tdWtyYWluZS1kb2N1bWVudGFyeS1ydXNzaWEtaW52YXNpb24tMTIzNTE4OTU3MC9XA3NwY0IKYhbXxBhilWWKS1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - "David Lynch's 'Twin Peaks' Now Has Its Own Weird Holiday," [Cracked](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY3JhY2tlZC5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZV8zMjc3OF9kYXZpZC1seW5jaHMtdHdpbi1wZWFrcy1ub3ctaGFzLWl0cy1vd24td2VpcmQtaG9saWRheS5odG1sVwNzcGNCCmIW18QYYpVliktSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~) Ukraine conflict brings reality of cyberwarfare to U.S. All cybersecurity is local, regardless of the world situation. That means it's personal, too – in Americans' homes, computers and online accounts. As violence spreads thousands of miles away from the U.S., my strong recommendation is that all Americans remain vigilant and [check on](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0QlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2lzYS5nb3YvdXNjZXJ0L25jYXMvdGlwc1cDc3BjQgpiFtfEGGKVZYpLUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) their [own cybersecurity](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0QuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2lzYS5nb3YvdXNjZXJ0L25jYXMvdGlwcy9TVDE1LTAwMlcDc3BjQgpiFtfEGGKVZYpLUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~). While organizations reinforce their cybersecurity posture during this period of geopolitical tension, I also suggest people regularly ensure their computer, mobile devices and software are updated, double-check that all [passwords are secure](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RQaHR0cHM6Ly90aGVjb252ZXJzYXRpb24uY29tL3VzaW5nLXRydWx5LXNlY3VyZS1wYXNzd29yZHMtNi1lc3NlbnRpYWwtcmVhZHMtODQwOTJXA3NwY0IKYhbXxBhilWWKS1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) and all key accounts are protected by [two-factor authentication](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RYaHR0cHM6Ly90aGVjb252ZXJzYXRpb24uY29tL3RoZS1hZ2Utb2YtaGFja2luZy1icmluZ3MtYS1yZXR1cm4tdG8tdGhlLXBoeXNpY2FsLWtleS03MzA5NFcDc3BjQgpiFtfEGGKVZYpLUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~). Beware that [phishing attacks](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RWaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnByLm9yZy8yMDIxLzA1LzI5LzEwMDE1MzY5MDQvd2hhdC13ZS1rbm93LWFib3V0LXRoZS1ydXNzaWFuLXBoaXNoaW5nLWhhY2tXA3NwY0IKYhbXxBhilWWKS1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) may increase, seeking to [trick people into clicking links](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0SfaHR0cHM6Ly90aGVjb252ZXJzYXRpb24uY29tL3lvdS1rbm93LWhvdy10by1pZGVudGlmeS1waGlzaGluZy1lbWFpbHMtYS1jeWJlcnNlY3VyaXR5LXJlc2VhcmNoZXItZXhwbGFpbnMtaG93LXRvLXRydXN0LXlvdXItaW5zdGluY3RzLXRvLWZvaWwtdGhlLWF0dGFja3MtMTY5ODA0VwNzcGNCCmIW18QYYpVliktSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~) that grant attackers access to computer systems. These are a few simple steps that can help increase one's cybersecurity preparedness both now and for the future. [Read the rest from Richard Forno](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjQvdWtyYWluZS1jb25mbGljdC1icmluZ3MtcmVhbGl0eS1vZi1jeWJlcndhcmZhcmUtdG8tdXMtX3BhcnRuZXIvVwNzcGNCCmIW18QYYpVliktSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~). (Getty/Salon) Have a tip for Salon? Feedback on this newsletter? [Let us know](mailto:brett.bachman@salon.com). Our mailing address: 1000 N. West Street, Suite 1200 Wilmington, 19801 DE [Unsubscribe from this list](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9yZWFkLmxldHRlcmhlYWQuZW1haWwvY3Jhc2gtY291cnNlL3Vuc3Vic2NyaWJlP2lkPUAzNTQzOTUyVwNzcGNCCmIW18QYYpVliktSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~) Copyright © 2022 Crash Course, All rights reserved. [Made with Letterhead [Letterhead logo]](~/AASU4wA~/RgRj-0nUP0QiaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbmVwbm83czh5c1cDc3BjQgpiFtfEGGKVZYpLUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~)