POLITICS

Mar 19 2026POLITICS

When policies clash with basic safety

A recent legal battle over who gets to use a women-only spa in Washington State has sparked heated debates about safety, privacy, and how far anti-discrimination laws should go. At the center of the dispute is Olympus Spa, a traditional Korean bathhouse that welcomes female customers—including teena

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Mar 19 2026POLITICS

Shepherds in the Zagros Mountains keep going despite the chaos

In the rugged Zagros Mountains, where Iraq meets Iran, life hasn’t changed much for some shepherds. They still climb the same hills their families have used for generations, even as wars rage around them. The mountains have seen decades of conflict—missiles, drones, and fighter jets scream overhead,

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Mar 18 2026POLITICS

Trump temporarily lifts ship rule to keep oil flowing

President Trump has announced a 60‑day pause on the Jones Act, an old law that requires U. S. ships and crews for domestic cargo moves. The waiver is aimed at speeding the flow of oil, gas, fertilizer and coal into American ports while military operations in the Middle East continue. The move comes

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Mar 18 2026POLITICS

Mullin Faces Tough Questions Before Leading Homeland Security

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, the Republican chosen by former President Trump to head the Department of Homeland Security, had a rocky confirmation hearing that highlighted concerns about his temperament and past foreign trips. The meeting was heated from the start, with Senate Homeland Security chair Rand

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Mar 18 2026POLITICS

Iran’s Possible Stand‑Off: A Different Take

The idea of “winning” in war feels a bit like a wrestling match. In the ring, there are clear winners when both sides agree on the outcome, and there are messy finishes where everyone can claim victory. Wars usually have a clean ending, but many do not. Major wars like the world wars had clear winne

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Mar 18 2026POLITICS

Iran’s Missile Plans: A Long‑Term Concern, Not an Immediate Threat

The U. S. intelligence community has repeatedly stated that Iran is still several years away from fielding missiles capable of striking the United States. During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, two senior officials—Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, and John Ratcliffe, th

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Mar 18 2026POLITICS

Cesar Chavez’s Legacy Shaken by Unsettling Accusations

The story begins with a quiet confession from two women who, as children in the 1970s, suffered repeated abuse at the hands of a man celebrated for his fight for farmworkers. Years later, they spoke up, fearing that revealing the truth would damage a movement they had helped build. In 1966, anoth

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Mar 18 2026POLITICS

Russia Gains Cash While Oil Prices Soar

Russia has seen a sudden rise in money from selling oil, thanks to U. S. sanctions easing and price spikes caused by the Iran conflict. The U. S. Treasury allowed a short‑term pause on sanctions for Russian oil already loaded onto ships, hoping to keep the market steady. Treasury Secretary Scott Bes

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Mar 18 2026POLITICS

Fed Rate Decision Sparks Trump’s Frustration Over Rising Oil Prices

The Federal Reserve chose to keep interest rates steady for a second straight meeting, a move that left President Trump annoyed. He has repeatedly asked the Fed to cut borrowing costs, claiming high rates hurt consumers and businesses. Trump’s frustration grew as oil prices climbed amid tensions in

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Mar 18 2026POLITICS

Cafe Beside a Bombed Building

A building that once housed homes near Beirut’s center has turned into a cafe. Israel warned residents early Wednesday to leave before dropping an airstrike on the spot. Ahmad Aalwan and his family live above the cafe; they watched the attack from a safer distance. The cafe, called Zahyre,

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