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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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May 18 2026HEALTH

Heat Waves and Hurt: How Extreme Weather Affects Older Chinese

Recent research looks at how the hottest and coldest days in China might make older people feel more pain. The study follows a large group of Chinese adults who are in their 50s and older, tracking them over several years. It focuses on two types of extreme weather: very hot days and extremely cold

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May 18 2026POLITICS

Property Tax Plan Draws Strong Opposition From Voters

The latest budget from Australia’s centre‑left government has sparked a sharp backlash among the public, according to two influential polls. The government announced changes that would reduce tax breaks for property investors, aiming to level the playing field across generations. Critics argue

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May 18 2026CRIME

Teenage gunmen caught after Austin shooting spree

Austin police announced that two teenagers were taken into custody following a series of gunfire incidents over the weekend. The first suspect, 15 years old, was apprehended after taking a firearm from a local shop. The second, 17, had an existing warrant for stealing a gun from the same establishme

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May 18 2026POLITICS

Power play in the Philippines: What happens next for Sara Duterte?

These days, the halls of power in the Philippines feel less like government offices and more like a stage set for a drama series. The country’s vice president, Sara Duterte, now faces an impeachment trial in the Senate—one that could reshape her future or end her political career. The trial isn’t ju

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May 18 2026POLITICS

Global Money Talks: Can the G7 Fix What’s Broken?

Leaders from seven major economies meet in Paris this week to talk about why global money isn’t flowing fairly. The two-day chat starts after a flashy meeting between the U. S. and China wrapped up with more handshakes than real deals. Trade fights and raw material grabber are still stealing the sho

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May 18 2026WEATHER

Rain on the Way: What Arkansas Can Expect This Week

Arkansas residents should prepare for a mixed bag of weather this week. Forecasters predict scattered thunderstorms starting Tuesday morning, with another possible round later in the day. A cold front pushing through the region will bring the chance of heavy rain that could last into Wednesday. Whil

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May 18 2026BUSINESS

Why AI isn't killing offshore call center jobs as expected

Many thought AI would replace call center workers in countries like the Philippines and India. Instead, the opposite happened. Call center jobs in the Philippines nearly doubled from 2016 to 2025, growing to 2 million workers. Unemployment there dropped from 9% to about 4% during the same period. In

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May 18 2026BUSINESS

When a boss fails to act on bullying and then punishes the victim

A construction worker in Rio Rancho got promoted in mid-2023, yet some coworkers began targeting him with insults. They used words like “half-breed” and “pocho, ” phrases that mock someone for blending into American life and not speaking Spanish well. The worker, Robert Gutierrez, told his boss this

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May 18 2026OPINION

When Papers and Prayer Rugs Aren't Safe in Detention

In Torrance County, some people held in detention have faced more than just confinement. Reports show authorities breaking basic rules by seizing personal and legal items that hold meaning. Detainees say officials took away documents tied to ongoing court cases, including papers meant to protect rig

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