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May 04 2026POLITICS

Planned Parenthood Loans: A Code‑Word Controversy

Senator Joni Ernst said the Biden team talked about giving large forgivable loans to Planned Parenthood during COVID, but used a secret label “Benghazi” in emails to hide the plan. The SBA chief of staff replied “Yes, let’s talk Benghazi” after a senior attorney asked for a meeting. Ernst claims t

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May 03 2026SCIENCE

Science Basics: How Facts Beat Fakes in Health

The world of health often feels like a maze filled with confusing claims. Many people think that if something sounds “magic, ” it must be true, but science shows us a clearer path. When we look at what keeps our bodies safe, the evidence comes from careful steps that scientists follow every day.

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May 03 2026SCIENCE

Psychedelics and the Fight Against Authoritarian Thinking

Research has shown that certain psychedelic drugs can lower people’s tendency to support strict, top‑down authority. However, these studies were small and not always well controlled. Because of that uncertainty, scientists are calling for bigger experiments with stricter designs to see if the eff

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May 02 2026CRIME

A Big Payout for Survivors in New York

New York’s Catholic leadership has agreed to pay 800 million dollars to people who were abused by priests as kids. Over 1, 300 survivors will share this money, making it one of the biggest payouts ever in the U. S. for clergy abuse cases. Only Los Angeles gave more—880 million—when it settled simila

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May 01 2026POLITICS

What Americans Really Believe About Human Rights—and Why It Matters

A growing number of Americans now see certain authoritarian governments as better on human rights than their own country. Polls show this shift is especially strong among younger Democrats, who view Iran, Israel, and even China in similar negative ways—or sometimes even favor China over the U. S. Th

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May 01 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Unexpected voices and fresh stories to explore in the Bay Area this May

May lights up with over 60 book-related events scattered across the Bay, from North Beach to Menlo Park. Instead of the usual literary suspects, this month’s lineup mixes unlikely storytellers—chefs, scientists, athletes, and even a DJ—behind the microphone. A Venezuelan-American writer reflects on

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Apr 30 2026POLITICS

Quick Look at the New Surveillance Bill Rush

A new push to extend U. S. surveillance powers moved fast this week. House leaders got just enough votes to start debating the bill after a tight two-hour vote. The change would let spy agencies keep collecting data without first asking a judge. Some lawmakers only agreed after pressure from top Rep

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Apr 29 2026TECHNOLOGY

The Secret Science Behind a Perfect Cup of Coffee

Coffee is more than just a morning drink—it’s a complex mix of over a thousand flavor molecules shaped by the beans, roasting, grinding, and brewing. Yet, even with careful preparation, the taste can vary wildly. One cup might taste too sour, another too bitter, and another just right. Scientists ha

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Apr 28 2026HEALTH

What Orthopedic Surgeons Really Think About Modern Trauma Care

In 2025, a wide survey of U. S. orthopedic trauma specialists revealed some surprising patterns in how these surgeons handle broken bones and serious injuries. The results show a shift in tools, techniques, and even small but important habits among doctors who treat trauma cases every day. One key

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Apr 27 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Celebrities Who Beat the Clock: 17 Marathon Highlights

Celebrity runners are often drawn to long‑distance events for charity and competition. Some have posted times that rival seasoned athletes, and their stories can inspire anyone who loves a challenge. The list below showcases 17 notable performances, arranged from fastest to slowest. Fastest s

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