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May 22 2026POLITICS

China Says It Values Moldovan Relations, Even With Ukraine Clash

The Chinese foreign minister met with the deputy prime minister of Moldova to talk about how close the two countries want to stay. He said Beijing “cherishes” ties with Moldova and wants them to grow stronger, even though the two sides disagree on Russia’s war in Ukraine. The meeting happened rig

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May 22 2026POLITICS

South Korea Moves to Ban Starbucks Vouchers After Gwangju‑Day Blunder

The South Korean Interior Ministry announced that it will no longer provide vouchers from companies that trivialise the country’s democratic past. This decision follows a heated backlash over Starbucks Korea’s “Tank Day” promotion, which was launched on the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju uprising.

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May 22 2026POLITICS

President Trump’s Call to Taiwan Sparks China’s Frown

The U. S. president announced he would speak with Taiwan’s leader, a first for any American chief executive. This move could strain U. S. –China ties and trigger more military drills near the island. Taiwan welcomed the idea, but no time was set. China warned that such a call would send “wrong sign

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May 22 2026EDUCATION

Bringing Acorns Back to the Lab

A new exhibit at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science shows how a community can keep its stories alive even when federal money disappears. The project, called “Yuutka” (The Place of the Acorn), mixes real‑world plants with digital tools so visitors can pick virtual acorns while learning about Ohlo

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May 22 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Shows That Ended Too Soon

The world of science‑fiction television is full of series that promise big adventures but stop before the story finishes. Some long‑running dramas stretch for many seasons, while others vanish after just a few episodes. The ones that earn critical praise and fan devotion are often the first to be ca

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May 22 2026SCIENCE

Funding Cuts Leave Science Labs Empty and Researchers Stuck

Scientists across the United States are feeling the bite of delayed federal funding, especially after a series of cuts during the previous administration. One Harvard researcher, who works on the origins of life, once had a bustling lab filled with students and colleagues. Now, after his grant was a

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May 22 2026POLITICS

Road Safety Reboot: New Tech to Stop Wrong‑Way Drivers

The Massachusetts Senate recently approved a plan that will boost the state’s wrong‑way detection system, after a fatal crash involving a state trooper. The incident happened early on May 6 when Trooper Kevin Trainor, who had just finished a shift, responded to a call about a Jeep driving south i

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May 22 2026TECHNOLOGY

Fine‑Mesh Pump Tech Turns 30

In 1995 a German company launched a new kind of pump that could squeeze very thick rubber mixtures without losing detail. The device, called the roll‑ex gear pump extruder, let manufacturers make smoother, more reliable silicone and rubber products. The first model, the roll‑ex 70, debuted at a trad

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May 22 2026BUSINESS

North Carolina Takes Legal Action Against Vinfast Over Unfinished EV Plant

The state of North Carolina has filed a lawsuit against Vietnamese electric‑vehicle company Vinfast. The suit claims that Vinfast failed to honor its promise to build a new electric‑vehicle and battery factory in the state. According to the state’s attorney general, the company stopped work on the s

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May 22 2026POLITICS

Alaska’s Energy Puzzle: Small‑Scale Fixes Over Big Projects

In Alaska, fuel costs are sky‑high: gasoline tops $5 a gallon and heating oil over $6. Electricity is even pricier, and the future of natural gas looks shaky. Back in 2010, lawmakers set a goal to get half the power from renewables, but that was only a suggestion. Today, renewables supply about 30%

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