US

Apr 11 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Song That Talks About Hope and Hard Times

Lee Brice’s new track starts with a simple idea that grew into something bigger. A friend told him about a title, “When the Kingdom Comes, ” and both he and his wife Sara felt it was right. They waited a year and a half, then one night Lee had a sudden burst of inspiration. He knew the chor

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Apr 11 2026POLITICS

The Petrodollar Still Holds Strong, But Iran’s Moves Raise Questions

Iran keeps control of the Strait of Hormuz and lets a few ships pass for payment in yuan or crypto. The U. S. Navy plans to clear mines there, showing the route is still a point of tension. The U. S. dollar remains the main currency for buying oil worldwide, and analysts say that gives it a big a

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Apr 11 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Storm Cuts Off Midnight DJ Set at Coachella

The first night of the popular music festival ended early for one act when sudden gusts forced a last‑minute change. An Italian‑American DJ, part of the popular duo Tale of Us, was scheduled to take the main stage at 12:00 a. m. after Sabrina Carpenter had finished her set. At about 12:17 a. m

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Apr 11 2026BUSINESS

Reeves Cake Shop: A Sweet Farewell After Half a Century

The final chapter of Reeves Cake Shop begins this December, ending 50 years of baking that started in 1976. The family bakery, long a local favorite, will close when the children of founder Dolores Reeves reach retirement age. Dolores, 93, began her culinary journey at the tender age of twelve in

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Apr 11 2026SPORTS

Boost Your Bet: $300 Bonus for Baseball, Golf and UFC with DraftKings

A new offer lets fresh users start betting on sports with a $5 wager and win up to $300 in bonus bets if that bet is successful. The promotion works across multiple sports, so the winner can decide whether to stay in baseball or switch to golf, UFC or basketball. To qualify the first bet must win

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Apr 11 2026POLITICS

US Eyes Quick Fix for Hormuz Blockage

The United States plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz soon, President Trump said on Friday. He did not give details but warned that the move will be difficult. Trump also mentioned help from other nations, though he did not name them. He said that “other countries use the strait … and they’ll he

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Apr 11 2026BUSINESS

New Mexican Food Spot Set to Open in Medford

A new Mexican grill will soon open its second branch on 495 Riverside Ave. in Medford’s Wellington area, taking over a former Smashburger site that shut down last January after more than ten years. The owners, led by Marycela Rodenzo, have secured a Common Victualler License from the city council, w

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Apr 11 2026BUSINESS

Kuku Smith’s Battle to Keep Her Beauty Store Alive

Kuku Smith stands outside her shop on Georgia Avenue, holding up T‑shirts that cost $25 each. The owner of a small beauty supply store that opened in 2019 is fighting an eviction notice while trying to keep her business running. She says the pandemic hit hard because she had just started and was

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Apr 11 2026POLITICS

U. S. Crypto Rules Stall While China and Russia Build Digital Alternatives

The United States is fighting to keep its dollar‑backed stablecoins in the global spotlight. These digital coins let people use U. S. dollars anywhere, without a government hand, and they could keep the dollar dominant worldwide. But lawmakers are debating whether crypto companies can pay users for

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Apr 11 2026CRYPTO

Binance Gives UAE Workers a Choice to Move or Stay

Binance has offered about 1, 000 employees in the United Arab Emirates the chance to relocate temporarily to cities such as Hong Kong, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok because of growing tensions in the region. The company said it wanted to give staff flexibility while keeping operations smooth, as i

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