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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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Mar 07 2026TECHNOLOGY

Plasma Gets a Tune‑Up: Bug Fixes Roll Out Soon

The KDE Plasma team has announced a wave of bug fixes that will reach users in the upcoming 6. 6. 2, 6. 6. 3 and 6. 7 releases. These updates focus on improving stability rather than adding new features, addressing issues that have been bothering the community for some time. A key improvement is

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Mar 06 2026CRIME

FBI Looks for Tech Hints in Nancy Guthrie’s Missing‑Person Case

Nancy Guthrie vanished on February 1 at the age of 84. The FBI is now checking with neighbors about any internet problems that night. They want to know if a tech glitch could have helped her disappear. Earlier in the search, investigators asked local residents about their phones and Wi‑Fi.

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Mar 06 2026BUSINESS

SoftBank Lines Up $40 Billion to Back OpenAI’s AI Future

SoftBank is planning a huge loan that could reach $40 billion, aiming to boost its stake in OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT. The move would be one of the biggest dollar‑only borrowings in the company’s history and is intended as a short‑term bridge, lasting roughly twelve months. Several large banks ar

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