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Apr 07 2026FINANCE

Five Stocks That Made Headlines This Week

The big U. S. markets finished the week on a high note, with the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all posting gains. Several shares caught traders’ eye for different reasons. Virgin Galactic shot up more than 24 percent, closing at $3. 07 after hitting an intraday peak of $3. 09. The jump follows buzz that

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Apr 07 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Mental Health in America: A Call for Change

The film “No One Cares About Crazy People” is a short documentary that will play at Columbia College’s Film Row Cinema on Saturday. After the screening, a panel with director Gail Freedman will discuss the movie’s message and its ties to Chicago. The soundtrack is written by Jeff Tweedy, a singer

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Apr 07 2026POLITICS

Trump Pushes for Record Defense Spend as Pentagon Eyes New High‑End Weapons

The U. S. administration is asking Congress for the biggest defense budget hike in 75 years, aiming to reshape the military’s industrial base and introduce cutting‑edge systems. The proposal includes a 44 % rise in the overall budget for fiscal year 2027, starting this October, and a 77 % jump in

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Apr 07 2026HEALTH

Hookah and Social Circles: Why Tobacco Sticks in Arab American Communities

Research shows tobacco use is more common among Arab Americans than some other groups, especially hookah smoking. Scientists wanted to find out why cultural habits and social groups play a big role in this trend. Instead of just looking at personal choices, they studied how family, friends, and comm

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Apr 07 2026POLITICS

A New Show Tries to Make U. S. Politics Less Confusing and More Real

Politics often feels like a game with just a few big players—like it’s all about who shouts the loudest. But a new video series is trying something different. Instead of focusing on one famous name, it zooms out to show how everyday choices, local problems, and hidden trends actually define America.

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Apr 07 2026TECHNOLOGY

Can Blockchain Fix the Messy Side of Construction Projects?

Construction projects often hit snags because of messy vendor deals. Late payments, missing materials, and confusing contracts can delay work and jack up costs. In fact, businesses lose about 9% of their yearly revenue just from these kinds of contract problems. But what if there was a way to make t

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Apr 07 2026FINANCE

Seagate's stock hits record after analyst upgrade

Seagate Technology just reached an all-time high in stock value. The surge follows a recommendation from analysts who now rank Seagate as their top choice in data storage hardware. Western Digital, Seagate’s main competitor, also saw a big jump in stock prices along with other companies that make me

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Apr 07 2026BUSINESS

Covey Gardens throws a party to mark its second year in Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach’s latest small business milestone isn’t just about cutting a ribbon—it’s a chance for locals to see what all the buzz is about. Covey Gardens, now two years into its run at 1590 S. Coast Highway, is hosting a public open house on April 16 at 5 p. m. The event packs in more than just a c

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Apr 07 2026FINANCE

Cinema crowds return as movie season kicks off strong

Moviegoers rushed back to theaters over Easter weekend, pushing AMC’s ticket sales to the highest five-day total ever recorded. Over six million people visited AMC locations in the U. S. and ODEON Cinemas abroad from April 1 to April 5, signaling growing interest in big-screen experiences. The surge

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Apr 07 2026FINANCE

Oracle's fresh financial face and the tangled web of layoffs, growth, and stock moves

Oracle just hired Hilary Maxson as its new finance boss, stepping in on April 6, 2026. She’s taking over from Doug Kehring, who helped steer the company through big changes in the past half year. Maxson comes with experience in industrial, software, and cloud worlds—areas where smart spending and st

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