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north bend road

Taiwan Boosts Island Defences Amid Rising Chinese Activity

April 2, 2026

Taiwan is set to reinforce its military presence on the Pratas Islands, a group of reefs located at the northern edge of the South China Sea. The islands lie more than 400 kilometres from Taiwan’s main coast, making them a potential target for Chinese forces. Because the Pratas are only lightly g

celebrities

Celebrities Turning 22‑79 on April 2

April 2, 2026

It’s a busy day for birthdays. The oldest star is singer Emmylou Harris, who celebrates 79 years and has earned a Grammy nod every year from 1976 to 1990. The next big name is actor Pedro Pascal, who turns 51 and will soon bring Mister Fantastic back to the Avengers movies. Emma Myers, a young actre

politics

Congress on Vacation While Workers Wait

April 2, 2026

The long pause in government work has turned the Capitol into a vacation spot. Some lawmakers flew to airports, hit up Las Vegas, or even visited Disney World while the country’s budget was stalled. These trips have been filmed and shared on social media, drawing millions of views and sparking

health

Women With PCOS Face Hidden Fatigue and Lower Exercise Capacity

April 2, 2026

In India, many women in their child‑bearing years deal with polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition that throws hormones off balance and leads to irregular periods and excess testosterone. Even though doctors can prescribe medicine, suggest diet changes, or offer fertility help, the disease is still

sports

Italy’s Soccer System Under Scrutiny After Three‑Year World Cup Gap

April 2, 2026

The Italian sports minister urged the head of the national football federation to step down after Italy failed again to qualify for a World Cup. A penalty shoot‑out defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoff stage was the latest blow, following losses to Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia in

politics

Softball Star’s Tax Dilemma: Money Going to a Fight Over Girls’ Sports

April 2, 2026

A freshman softball player from Western Michigan, who has just filed her taxes for the first time, is surprised to find that a portion of her earnings will help fund a lawsuit against Minnesota. The state has been sued by the Department of Justice for not following President Trump’s rule that bars b

entertainment

First‑Ever British Vertical Series Takes the Spotlight

April 2, 2026

Onset Octopus says it is the first UK company to fully fund and produce a vertical‑video series that will be sold worldwide. The new show, Cowboy Before Dark, follows a same‑sex romance between two friends who reconnect. Writer Octavia McKenzie crafted the story, while actors Elliot Eason and

technology

French Plan to Boost Data Centers

April 2, 2026

The French government is preparing new policies that will make it easier for companies to build data centers across the country. Finance Minister Roland Lescure announced that these measures will be revealed in the coming weeks, aiming to attract more investment and support France’s digital infrastr

finance

Personal Finance Made Simple: A New Way to Plan Your Future

April 2, 2026

Thrive Financial Services is reshaping how people think about retirement by putting learning at the heart of its approach. Instead of treating money planning like a one‑size‑fits‑all spreadsheet, the firm uses a step‑by‑step guide called R. O. U. T. E. ® that looks at risk, income, health, taxes and

politics

War in Lebanon: A Long‑Term Crisis

April 2, 2026

Lebanon is now in the second month of a fierce conflict between Israel and the Iranian‑backed group Hezbollah. The fighting has pushed more than one million people out of their homes, and the Prime Minister says there is no clear end in sight. The Israeli army has launched air strikes and holds f