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Mar 21 2026FINANCE

Energy Prices Skyrocket as Middle East Conflict Hits Global Supply

The fight in the Middle East has cut a major oil passage, causing worldwide fuel shortages and higher prices. Because of attacks on the Strait of Hormuz, about one‑fifth of global oil and gas can no longer move through that narrow channel. Simultaneously, strikes on energy plants in the region

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Mar 21 2026POLITICS

Power Cuts Sweep Ukraine’s Northern Region After Drone Strike

The northern Chernihiv area of Ukraine was plunged into darkness Saturday after a Russian drone hit power lines, according to the regional governor. Repairs are already underway to restore electricity across the region. The attack hit a zone that borders Russia and Belarus, where just under one mil

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Mar 21 2026CRIME

Beware: Fake Oyster Festival Vendor Scam

A fraudster is pretending to be the Norwalk Oyster Festival and has tricked former vendors into sending money. The scam started before last year’s event and is still going on with a fake social‑media ad. The fraudster used real vendor names and the correct festival details to look legitimate. The s

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Mar 21 2026SCIENCE

Tulsi: An Ancient Herb That Modern Science Is Re‑examining

Holy basil, known as tulsi, has been part of South Asian healing for thousands of years. Today scientists are testing the claims that it can ease stress, balance blood sugar and even help fight disease. The plant’s leaves, stems and seeds contain eugenol, linolenic acid and other antioxidants that m

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Mar 21 2026FINANCE

Budget Hearing and Voting Day Arranged for Madison Residents

Madison’s Board of Finance will open the floor to public comments this month, setting the stage for a town budget vote scheduled for April 28. Voters will have access to polling stations from dawn until dusk, according to town officials. The proposed budget for the 2026‑27 fiscal year is outlined o

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Mar 21 2026ENVIRONMENT

Assessing the Legacy of an Old Aluminum Smelter

The last step in figuring out how much damage the former Columbia Falls smelter has caused to nature is now ready. A plan written by state and federal agencies, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and other partners will examine the site again and decide how to repair or pay for long‑term h

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Mar 21 2026BUSINESS

Chile’s Copper Boom: New Projects Light the Way

BHP and Freeport-McMoRan have just filed two massive copper projects with Chile’s environmental review board, a clear sign that mining investment is picking up again in the country. The first plan, called “Nueva Concentradora Escondida, ” is worth $5 billion and would replace the aging Los Colorados

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Mar 21 2026ENVIRONMENT

New Places for Nature Protection in Europe

Scientists have looked beyond the usual parks and reserves to find other lands that could help wildlife survive. They called these places “Other Effective Area‑Based Conservation Measures” or OECMs. The idea is that some areas, even if not officially protected, still play a key role in keeping speci

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Mar 21 2026POLITICS

Celebrity Endorsements Light Up LSU Student Vote

In a surprising twist, the upcoming student government election at Louisiana State University has taken on a Hollywood flair. Candidates for president and vice‑president are now flashing endorsements from well‑known sports figures, turning the campaign into a star‑studded spectacle. The duo of Dari

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Mar 21 2026ENTERTAINMENT

The New Wave of Celebrity‑Driven Audio Romance

Quinn is a young app that lets people pay for audio stories about romance and sex. In late 2025 it added two actors from a hit TV show to create a new series called Ember & Ice. The actors talk about love, fight and secret meetings while the listeners imagine themselves in the scene. Quinn’

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