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Feb 18 2026SCIENCE

Boosting Perovskite Solar Cells with New Self‑Assembled Layers

Scientists have long used a material called Me‑4PACz, or Me4, as a layer that pulls holes out of inverted perovskite solar cells. The layer is handy, but it often clumps together in solution and does not spread well over the next layer. Because of this, the contact between layers is weak and the cry

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Feb 18 2026POLITICS

A Fresh Path for Young Offenders in Ramsey County

Ramsey County is changing how it handles youth crime. Instead of sending most teens straight to court, the county’s attorney and public defender offices joined forces with community groups and police in 2021. They launched the (Re)Imagining Justice for Youth program, which looks at each case a

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Feb 18 2026CELEBRITIES

Celebrating Stars on February 18

John Travolta, who will be 72 this year, is one of the most famous names celebrating today. His middle name is Joseph, a small detail that fans sometimes forget. Molly Ringwald turns 58. She recently appeared in the movie “Run Amok, ” showing she still loves to act. Yoko Ono, a 93‑year‑old singer

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Feb 18 2026EDUCATION

Barbour’s Quiet Fight for Equality

William “Wilbur” Miller Barbour grew up in Middletown and later made a name for himself far beyond his hometown. After finishing high school there, he went on to study at Elizabethtown College and then pursued a career in social work. He joined the National Urban League, where he helped plan program

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Feb 18 2026CELEBRITIES

From Stylist to Star: The Rise of a Fashion Icon

Rachel Zoe once joked that fame landed on her like a surprise gift. She described herself in a hotel room, wrapped in a simple cotton robe while a makeup artist added subtle highlights to her face. Behind the glamor, she was preparing for a major fashion event at Lincoln Center, surrounded by design

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Feb 18 2026LIFESTYLE

A Quiet Life in Winchester: History, Apples, and Easy Living

Winchester is a small town in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley that offers a peaceful place for people who want to retire without the bustle of big cities. The community is famous for its apple orchards and its deep history that stretches back to the 1700s. It was named one of the best retirement

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Feb 18 2026FINANCE

New Leader Steps Up for JPMorgan’s Big‑Deal Financing

JPMorgan has chosen Catherine O'Donnell to head its North America Leveraged Finance unit. She will move to New York and bring more than two decades of experience in complex debt deals. The bank says O'Donnell will run the team that finances large transactions across the continent. Her new role me

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Feb 18 2026HEALTH

AI Chat Helps South Africans Talk About HIV Prevention

South Africa faces a heavy load on its health workers, making it hard for doctors and nurses to chat with patients about HIV risk and whether they should use PrEP. A new app called “Your Choice” uses a big‑data chatbot to step in and talk with people who recently tested negative for HIV. The bot can

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Feb 18 2026TECHNOLOGY

Safeguarding Faces in the AI Age

The recent rise of a chatbot that could generate and share millions of sexualized images of real people sparked a debate about how to protect individuals from digital misuse. Congress already banned posting deep fakes that show people in intimate acts, but experts argue the law should also cover a

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Feb 18 2026POLITICS

Canada Stands Its Ground: A Fresh Look at Identity and Independence

The idea that Canada could become the 51st state of the United States sparks debate across borders. Some voices say it is a serious threat, while others view it as an exaggerated claim. The conversation has moved beyond political talk into everyday life. Canadian pride shows up in small ways, like

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