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May 22 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Comedians face backlash for jokes that hit too close to home

A recent comedy event meant to celebrate Kevin Hart’s career took a sharp turn when two comedians crossed lines with jokes about race and tragedy. Tony Hinchcliffe joked about George Floyd, a Black man whose death during police restraint sparked global protests, saying Floyd was "laughing so hard he

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May 22 2026POLITICS

Syria joins G7 talks: what’s behind the invite?

Next month, Syria will take a seat at the G7 table in France. President Ahmed al-Sharaa is expected to attend the June summit in Évian-les-Bains, marking the country’s first appearance at the yearly gathering since it began in 1975. The invitation was handed personally to Syria’s finance minister du

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May 22 2026HEALTH

Understanding How Global Support Affects Local Healthcare Costs

In many countries with limited resources, governments rely on outside help to fund their healthcare systems. This assistance comes in different forms—loans from international organizations, direct financial aid, and special conditions tied to borrowing. Researchers looked at 105 such countries betwe

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May 22 2026ENVIRONMENT

Rich countries keep climate funding promises, but the next challenge is even bigger

For three years straight, wealthy nations have met their $100 billion annual pledge to help poorer countries fight climate change. In 2024, they sent $136. 7 billion—up from $115. 9 billion in 2022. But now, they’re facing an even tougher goal: raising $300 billion every year by 2035. That’s a massi

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May 22 2026BUSINESS

Tech firm snaps up empty Silicon Valley office at a bargain

A Silicon Valley electronics company recently bought a large, empty office building in San Jose for about $18. 8 million—roughly a quarter less than what lenders had estimated it was worth. The 78, 200-square-foot property at 5729 Fontanoso Way had been sitting unused for years after a biotech start

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May 22 2026ENVIRONMENT

AI eyes are watching to protect whales from ship crashes

Gray whales along California’s coast are facing a growing danger—not from sharks or storms, but from giant ships cutting across their feeding grounds. With Arctic ice melting and food harder to find up north, more hungry whales are drifting into San Francisco Bay, where busy shipping lanes turn dead

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May 22 2026LIFESTYLE

Planning a tribute: How to post a death notice without confusion

When someone close passes away, families often turn to the local newspaper to share a final message. The process isn’t as straightforward as writing a social media post. Papers usually require proof that the person has died, often a call to a funeral home during their limited weekend hours. That sma

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May 22 2026LIFESTYLE

Weekend plans get local as families cut travel costs and dodge storms

Memorial Day in Arkansas used to mean packed highways and long drives. This year, though, a double squeeze is pushing most celebrations inside state lines. Gas now costs more than four dollars a gallon, and rain is predicted to linger from Friday through Sunday. Experts say those two factors alone w

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May 22 2026FINANCE

What’s Driving Up US Natural Gas Prices Right Now?

Natural gas prices in the US edged up recently, even though government data showed stockpiles grew more than expected. Normally, that would push prices down, but traders are betting on a different story. Forecasts predict scorching heat waves across the West and Midwest soon, which means power plant

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May 22 2026WEATHER

Memorial Day weekend weather in Oregon: mixed bags ahead

Oregon’s Memorial Day weekend plans just got a little more complicated. Forecasters expect a sunny start, with warm temps in the upper 70s to low 80s on May 22-24 across parts of the state. But by the time the holiday hits, a shift is coming—cool rain will move in, ending the warmth. The Willamette

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