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Mar 12 2026TECHNOLOGY

KGRec: A New Way to Find Things You’ll Like

In today’s world, people want online services that not only show them what they might enjoy but also keep the choices fresh and varied. Traditional recommendation methods mainly look at who liked what, missing out on useful extra details about the items or users. This can hurt performance when there

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Mar 12 2026ENVIRONMENT

Field Trip to Restore Fulton’s Prairie: A Community Visit

The Fulton Historical Society is arranging a day out on March 15 at two in the afternoon, taking folks to a nearby prairie restoration project. The event is led by Dean Huisingh, who founded the society and also runs a conservation foundation that works to protect Illinois plants and animals. He

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Mar 11 2026FINANCE

JPMorgan Cuts Loans to Private Credit Funds Over Software Risk

JPMorgan has tightened its lending rules for private credit groups, trimming the value of certain loans that these funds use as collateral. The bank’s move signals growing caution among traditional lenders toward the fast‑growing private credit market, especially when backing software companies that

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Mar 11 2026BUSINESS

Gas Prices Soar as Middle East Tensions Spike

The market stayed calm on Wednesday, even though hostilities between Iran and Israel—along with strikes against U. S. allies—continued to flare. Traders around the globe kept a close eye on the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow channel that links the world’s top oil producers to buyers. This passage carrie

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Mar 11 2026FINANCE

JPMorgan Cuts Risk in Software‑Loan Backed Deals

JPMorgan Chase has lowered the value of loans it holds as collateral, mainly those given to software companies, in its private‑credit financing arm. The change means that firms using these loans for “back‑leverage” will have less room to borrow and may need to lock up more assets. The bank’s move

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Mar 11 2026SCIENCE

Professor Mike Benjamin’s Legacy in Connective Tissue Science

The new special edition focuses on how Professor Mike Benjamin has shaped the study of connective tissues. It highlights his groundbreaking discoveries about the mechanical properties of fibrous proteins. Researchers praised how he linked structure to function in collagen and elastin fibers.

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Mar 11 2026POLITICS

The First Step Toward a Global Law on Crimes Against Humanity

A two‑week gathering in New York marked the start of a long journey to write a treaty that would make crimes against humanity punishable under international law. The meeting, called the first Preparatory Committee (PrepCom I), ran from January 19 to 30 and set up the framework for a later diplomatic

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Mar 11 2026POLITICS

Microsoft Voices Out in Defense of AI and Government Work

Microsoft stepped out of its usual quiet stance and filed a supportive brief for an AI firm fighting the Pentagon. The move shows the tech giant weighing silence against action, even when it could risk government contracts. The brief came in a lawsuit where the Pentagon had labeled the AI company a

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Mar 07 2026POLITICS

Social Media Scrutiny Hits Texas Senate Candidate

A 36‑year‑old state representative has just secured the Democratic nomination for Texas Senate, but his online history is now under fire. The candidate, who has amassed more than two million followers on Instagram and 1. 6 million on TikTok, used his digital presence to win over voters during the

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Mar 07 2026BUSINESS

Big Y’s 90‑Year Road to Expansion

The Big Y grocery chain, now nine decades old, is looking ahead to a future with more stores and smarter technology. In West Springfield’s busiest outlet, shoppers can choose between self‑service checkouts that offer AI help or a friendly cashier. The AI assists by looking up product codes and guidi

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