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May 17 2026ENVIRONMENT

New Tools Fight Desert Spread in China’s Farmlands

China has started fresh projects to stop farmland from turning into desert, especially in the western province of Xinjiang. Scientists at the local ecology institute are trying new ways to hold back sand, reduce wind damage and tackle salty soils that threaten crops. These experiments are part of a

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May 17 2026CELEBRITIES

Why Michael Jackson still rules pop culture decades later

Back in the 1980s, getting Michael Jackson to a basketball game was like summoning a force of nature. Magic Johnson once recalled how the singer’s presence turned a normal sports event into controlled chaos. Fans rushed from all directions, forcing officials to pause the game just to clear a safe ex

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May 17 2026ENVIRONMENT

Public Lands in Montana: Who Really Benefits?

Montana’s open spaces, forests, and wildlife belong to everyone—not just a few. Yet state leaders keep pushing to sell or lease these shared treasures to the highest bidder. These moves often favor short-term profits over long-term health, ignoring the fact that public lands support local jobs in to

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May 17 2026SPORTS

When Coaches and Their Families Cross the Line

Fran McCaffery spent 15 years coaching Iowa basketball, turning the team into a regular NCAA Tournament contender and earning a solid 297-207 record. But his time in Iowa City ended badly, partly because of friction with local media personalities. The most well-known was Gary Dolphin, the long-time

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May 17 2026HEALTH

Hospital techs get better pay after tense talks

A deal was struck just in time to avoid a walkout by hospital technicians who handle everything from X-rays to breathing machines. The agreement gives around 230 techs a raise of at least 3% over three years, plus extra pay for experience and limits on last-minute schedule changes. Most workers—96%—

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May 16 2026OPINION

Scientists, Politics and Food: A Mixed‑Bag Review

The article starts by pointing out that chasing endless economic growth is not a solution for the planet’s limits. A United Nations report, led by António Guterres, calls for new measures that look beyond GDP. It suggests 31 indicators—many tied to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals—to capture h

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May 16 2026CRIME

The Rise and Fall of a 1960s Star

Claudine Longet started in Paris but found fame in America during the swinging sixties. She sang on TV shows and even acted in a famous comedy movie that later inspired another comedian’s spoof. Her biggest hit in music came from a Beach Boys cover decades later when it played in a popular TV series

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May 15 2026BUSINESS

Family‑Run Firm Keeps Government Benefits on Track

In a field where big investors have pushed many companies into standardised, cost‑cutting models, one small family business has stuck to its original approach. The market for managing benefits for federal contractors—cleaners, security staff, mail carriers and others—has grown increasingly comple

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May 15 2026SPORTS

Texas Coach Sparks Debate Over Ole Miss Education

The rivalry between Texas and Ole Miss is heating up even before the teams meet on the field. In a recent press conference, Texas’ head coach said that a student at Ole Miss could earn a degree by taking “basket weaving. ” The comment drew sharp criticism from fans who felt it belittled the un

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May 15 2026SPORTS

A New Chance for a Former ESPN Host

Stephen A. Smith, known for his strong voice on sports shows, has voiced a clear wish to bring Shannon Sharpe back into ESPN’s lineup. Smith says the network knows his desire, but the final call rests with senior executives who oversee staffing decisions. A year ago, Sharpe was let go after a law

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