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May 19 2026POLITICS

Thinking about justice and cruelty in conflict zones

Reports from Palestinians suggest some Israeli forces have used sexual violence in prisons. These accounts include beatings, public shaming, and torture that targets both adults and minors. The claims are serious enough to demand thorough, unbiased investigations. Even if only partly true, they rais

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May 19 2026POLITICS

New Virginia Laws Aim to Close Gaps in Mother and Baby Healthcare

Virginia recently took another step forward in improving care for mothers and infants with a set of new laws signed in April. These laws expand on last year’s "Momnibus" package, which was the first major effort to tackle long-standing issues in maternal and infant health across the state. While the

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May 18 2026SPORTS

Sinner Wins Italy, Woad Shines in Cincinnati, U. S. Ice Hockey Rebounds

Jannik Sinner has ended a 50‑year wait for an Italian male champion at the Rome Masters, beating Casper Ruud two sets to love on clay. The win also makes him only the second man after Novak Djokovic to claim every Masters 1000 title. With his rival Carlos Alcaraz injured, Sinner is nearly unbeatable

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May 18 2026HEALTH

Weight Loss and Muscle: What Exercise Adds

People who cut calories often lose muscle along with fat. The study looked at adults who were overweight or obese. It compared two ways of losing weight: just cutting calories, and cutting calories plus different kinds of exercise. The first part asked if adding exercise can keep muscle fro

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May 18 2026POLITICS

Reducing School Costs Through State‑Wide Health Coverage

School districts in Maine are facing a sharp rise in health insurance expenses. In one district with more than 600 staff members, premiums have climbed by over $1 million, pushing the total employer outlay to nearly $10 million. These figures only represent the portion paid by schools; employees the

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May 18 2026POLITICS

Climber Takes Gaza Kids’ Wishes to the Highest Peak

A 56‑year‑old mountaineer from Jordan and Palestine is climbing Mount Everest with a kite that bears the Palestinian flag colors. The kite carries handwritten notes from children who live in Gaza, a place that has been devastated by war since October 2023. Those messages are simple yet powerful, sho

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May 18 2026OPINION

A Fresh Plan to Clean Portland’s River and Save the Island

Portland is famous for its parks, trees, and rivers, but a hidden problem lurks in the Willamette River. A 10‑mile stretch near the harbor has been listed as a Superfund site since 2000, meaning it is heavily polluted from past industrial use. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set

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May 18 2026OPINION

Virginia Court’s Vote: A Lesson in Rules and Democracy

The Virginia Supreme Court recently struck down a referendum that would have let the state’s lawmakers draw congressional districts to favor one party by a large margin. The decision was made after the legislature introduced an amendment just days before voters could cast ballots in the November ele

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May 18 2026FINANCE

Global Markets React to Iran Tensions and G7 Talks

"The world’s bond markets are tightening, pushing borrowing costs higher and sparking worries about a possible slowdown. In Paris, finance leaders from the G7 will discuss how the war in Iran could shake economies further. They are urged to act quickly to keep oil flows steady and limit damage

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May 18 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Light Pillar Sets Sail in the U. S.

Greenwich Entertainment has taken on the job of bringing a new Chinese film to American theaters. The movie, called Light Pillar, is the first feature from director and writer Xu Zao. It premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in a special program that showcases fresh voices from around the world. Aft

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