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Dec 18 2025FINANCE

Oil Giants Face Tough Times as Prices Drop

Oil prices have taken a hit, dropping from around $70 to just over $56 per barrel. This drop is tough on big oil companies like ExxonMobil, who make a lot of their money from drilling and producing oil. ExxonMobil has some of the best oil fields in the world, like the Permian Basin in the U. S. and

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Dec 18 2025WEATHER

Earth Shaker: Taiwan's Recent Tremors and Its Earthquake History

Taiwan felt the ground move again. A quake with a magnitude of 5. 1 hit near Hualien city. This is not new for Taiwan. It is in a spot where two big pieces of Earth's crust meet. That makes it a hotspot for earthquakes. The recent quake was not too deep. It was about 31. 6 km under the surface. It

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Dec 18 2025POLITICS

Why LifeWise Academy is causing a stir in Everett Schools

LifeWise Academy is making waves in Everett Public Schools, and not everyone is happy about it. The group claims they're just trying to help, but critics say they're pushing religion into public schools, which is a big no-no. The founder of LifeWise, Joel Penton, has written a book called "During S

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Dec 18 2025POLITICS

Why Free Speech Matters More Than Ever

Free speech is a hot topic. It always has been. But why is it so hard for some people to grasp? This question came up during a recent discussion in Des Moines. The event marked 50 years since a bomb exploded at a Quaker meeting house. The bomb was likely set by someone who didn't like the Quakers' s

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Dec 18 2025HEALTH

Understanding Family Strength After a Stroke

A stroke can be a life-changing event, not just for the person who has it, but also for their family. This is because it can affect how the family functions and copes. Recently, a study looked at how families deal with this challenge and what makes some families stronger than others. The study foun

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Dec 18 2025POLITICS

Chaos in Albanian Parliament: Lawmakers Clash Over Corruption Claims

In Albania, the parliament building turned into a scene of chaos recently. Lawmakers from the opposition party had a heated argument with police. This happened because they were upset about claims of corruption against the deputy prime minister and other officials. The opposition party members did

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Dec 18 2025CRIME

The Hidden Cost of True Crime Stories

True crime stories are everywhere these days. They are on podcasts, TV shows, and documentaries. Many families of victims share their stories hoping it will help solve the case. But this can be really tough on them. Research shows that these stories can make things worse for the families. They ofte

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Dec 18 2025LIFESTYLE

A Lima Hero: The Grinch Who Brings Joy to the Streets

In the heart of Lima, a man named Jeferson Castro is turning heads and lifting spirits. He's not your typical taxi driver. Castro dresses as the Grinch, but instead of stealing Christmas, he's giving it away. His taxi, a three-wheeled vehicle, is decked out with lights, a sleigh, and even reindeer.

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Dec 18 2025POLITICS

Fentanyl: A Drug or a Weapon?

In a bold move, the U. S. President has labeled fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. This decision, made on December 15, 2025, aims to tackle the drug's impact on national security and crime. The president compared the deaths caused by fentanyl to those in major wars, stating that hundreds of t

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Dec 18 2025POLITICS

Judges Under Fire: A Growing Concern for Justice

The safety of judges is becoming a big worry. Recently, federal judges got unexpected pizza deliveries. No note came with them. But the message was loud and clear: "We know where you live. " This is not just about pizzas. It's about fear. Fear that is growing among those who make big decisions in co

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