D C OFFICE

Mar 28 2026BUSINESS

Canada Seeks Quick Trade Deal with South America

Canadian trade officials are pushing hard to finish a free‑trade agreement with the Mercosur group by this fall. The country wants to speed up talks, aiming for meetings every six weeks or so, according to the minister of international trade speaking at a WTO event in Cameroon. He has already held t

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Mar 28 2026BUSINESS

Digital Ads, Sweet Inspiration: How Dubai Chocolate Uses Social Media

Dubai chocolate marketers have tried a fresh mix of online tricks to make people want their sweets. They asked 425 shoppers in Turkey who had already tasted the brand’s products to fill out a survey. The researchers then used a statistical tool called PLS‑SEM in SmartPLS 4 to look at the data. The

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Mar 28 2026HEALTH

Smart Tech Steps In for Back Pain Diagnosis

Doctors often struggle to agree on back problems because scans can look different from person to person. A narrowing in the lower spine called lumbar spinal stenosis is one tough case. Traditional MRI scans help, but experts don’t always see the same things when they look. Now, researchers are testi

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Mar 28 2026OPINION

Why turning 16 won’t suddenly make social media safe for teens

Countries across Asia and the Pacific are racing to set 16 as the minimum age for social media apps like TikTok and Instagram. Indonesia will enforce its new rule this month, while Indian states such as Karnataka are considering similar steps. The move plays well with voters and makes tech bosses lo

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Mar 28 2026ENVIRONMENT

How Colorado can lead the energy change

Colorado sits at a crossroads between growing energy needs and a fast-expanding clean power industry. Lawmakers have two major tools on the table in 2026 that could shape the state’s economic future. One plan sets long-term targets for clean electricity by 2050, giving utilities a clear roadmap for

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Mar 27 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Maui’s Mighty Make‑Up: How Johnson Gave the Demigod Real Life

Dwayne Johnson stepped into the shoes – and the suit – of Maui for Disney’s new live‑action Moana, a task that tested both his body and his imagination. The actor explained that the costume was no light‑weight prop; it weighed 40 pounds and took roughly two and a half hours each day to get on. Even

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Mar 27 2026CRIME

Jersey City Takes Action Against Unlicensed Smoke Shops

City officials in Jersey City have taken decisive steps to curb unlicensed smoke shops that are operating without proper permits. Five businesses were shut down after a coordinated effort by the local police and federal partners, which also led to several arrests. The crackdown followed complaints f

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Mar 27 2026WEATHER

Cold March Day, Snow Flurries and a Quick Warm‑Up

Central New York is in for a chilly weekend. A cold air mass keeps temperatures far below normal, with highs only reaching the mid‑30s even though Friday looks sunny. Overnight lows slide into the teens and low 20s, and wind chills drop to single digits or low teens by Saturday morning as winds pick

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Mar 27 2026SPORTS

Dylan Darling: From Spokane Courts to Saint John’s Spotlight

Dylan Darling grew up in the city of Spokane, Washington, where his life was shaped by the rhythm of sports and family. His father, James Darling, spent a decade in the NFL, playing for teams such as the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals. Watching his dad’s career unfold gave

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Mar 27 2026HEALTH

Helping Kids Stay Healthy: The Role of Family Learning

Childhood obesity has been climbing fast in many parts of the world, especially in China. Over the last few decades, the numbers have jumped, yet most parents never get regular updates about their kids’ weight. Without this information, many families don’t realize how serious the problem is until it

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