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james m crain

Oscar Night Shifts: Why One Film Won Over the Other

March 16, 2026

The 2026 Oscars felt like a marathon, but it ended with a clear winner. Even after the Academy’s shift toward more diverse members, old patterns still mattered. A film called “One Battle” took Best Picture, just as it had won at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and critics’ circles. Its rival, “S

health

Resilience Helps Musicians Beat Hidden Childhood Stress

March 16, 2026

Musicians sometimes suffer from a rare problem called musician’s dystonia, where their hands or arms suddenly act out of control while playing. It is a task‑specific disorder that can affect up to one in every hundred professional players, and doctors still do not know all the reasons it happens. ...

environment

Planting Trees in the Right Places Can Cool the Planet

March 16, 2026

Tree planting is a big idea for fighting climate change. Scientists tested how different amounts and locations of new forests affect the Earth’s temperature using a detailed computer model. They looked at three scenarios with different sizes and spreads of reforestation. The results were clear: add

politics

A Bold Battle: The First Female Chief of Staff Faces Breast Cancer

March 16, 2026

Susie Wiles, the first woman to lead the White House staff, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is 68 and says the tumor was caught early. Wiles will keep her job and does not plan to take a break. The disease is common; about one in eight women in the U. S. will encounter it. Wiles to

technology

New AirPods Max 2: Bigger Beats, Smarter Features

March 16, 2026

Apple has rolled out a fresh pair of over‑the‑ear headphones that build on the original AirPods Max. The biggest change is a new H2 chip, which makes noise cancelling stronger and lets the earbuds react automatically to what’s around you. The design stays familiar: silver, black and other colors,

finance

Oil Prices Drop, Stocks Rally Amid Middle East Tensions

March 16, 2026

The markets opened higher after a sharp decline in oil prices. The S&P 500 climbed about one percent, ending its three‑week losing streak. Meanwhile the Dow gained roughly 0. 7 percent and the Nasdaq rose over one percent. Oil has been the main mover for the day. A barrel of U. S. crude fell 4. 1 p

sports

UConn Heads the Pack, But Others Still Have a Chance

March 16, 2026

The University of Connecticut is seen as the clear leader heading into this year’s women’s NCAA basketball tournament, with odds suggesting they could add a 13th title to their record. The betting market has set them at –265, the tightest pre‑tournament spread since 2018. This means most people thin

entertainment

Oscars “In Memoriam” Skips Some TV Stars, Fans React

March 16, 2026

The Oscars’ tribute to those who died in 2025 and early 2026 left out several well‑known actors, sparking criticism on social media. James Van Der Beek and Eric Dane were among the names omitted, even though both had notable film roles in addition to their TV fame. Van Der Beek lost his battle

sports

March Madness Bracket Shake‑Ups: Who Made It, Who Missed Out

March 16, 2026

The NCAA tournament brackets are in and the surprises are already talking. Some schools that dominated their seasons barely made it, while a few underdogs got the nods they deserved. Miami (Ohio) finished 31‑0, but a weak schedule and a first‑round loss in the MAC tournament left its at‑large hop

science

Rocket Journeys: From Tiny Beginnings to Giant Dreams

March 16, 2026

The first liquid‑fuel rocket, named “Nell, ” lifted only 41 feet on its debut a century ago. Though modest, it sparked the era of spaceflight that would see humans walk on the Moon decades later. Celebrating this milestone, several staff members share their most memorable launch experiences. One