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Feb 15 2026SCIENCE

The Secret Language of Plant Immunity

Plants have a clever chemical called salicylic acid that acts like an alarm system when attackers arrive. In the common lab plant Arabidopsis, scientists first mapped out how this alarm works: a special route called the isochorismate pathway makes salicylic acid, proteins named NPR bind to it, an

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Feb 15 2026POLITICS

New Land Rules Spark Tension in West Bank

Israel’s cabinet has just passed a new plan that will let settlers buy land more easily in the West Bank, a move Palestinians say is a step toward full annexation. The decision marks the first time since 1967 that Israel has opened a formal land‑registration process for this occupied territory. T

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Feb 15 2026FINANCE

Rising Minimum Wage Sparks Job Crunch for Young Workers

The Bank of England’s policy adviser, Catherine Mann, warned that a steep climb in Britain’s minimum wage for younger employees has pushed up joblessness among 18‑to‑24‑year‑olds. Recent data show this group’s unemployment rate hit 13. 7% in the last quarter of 2023, a jump from 10. 2% three years e

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Feb 15 2026BUSINESS

Domestic Mining Push: A New Path for Critical Minerals

American companies that build batteries, cars and tech gadgets depend on graphite. China supplies most of it, making the U. S. vulnerable to supply cuts or price hikes. A new law encourages domestic mining projects like Graphite One’s Alaska deposit, the biggest graphite site in America. The bill as

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Feb 15 2026CRYPTO

Coinbase Loses Big, Ethereum Eyes Quick Comeback

Coinbase slipped into a $667 million loss in its latest quarter, ending an eight‑quarter run of profits. The exchange earned 66 cents per share, falling short of analysts’ 92‑cent forecast by a full quarter. Revenue fell 21. 5 % to $1. 78 billion, missing the $1. 85 billion expected by experts

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Feb 15 2026OPINION

Neighbors United: How Two Maine Towns Showed Love and Action

The recent winter brought more than snow to Lewiston and Portland. A sudden increase in ICE patrols sparked fear among immigrant families, especially those from Somalia, Afghanistan, the Congo, Angola and Ukraine. Their worries were clear in hushed conversations and hurried steps through town street

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Feb 15 2026OPINION

Maine’s Future: Energy Power or Vacation Spot?

The idea that Maine could become a cheap source of clean power for the rest of New England is not new. In the past, rail companies and later highways turned the state into a getaway for city folk. That model has worked well for tourism, but it left most of Maine’s natural beauty in private hands and

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Feb 15 2026SPORTS

College Sports in a New Money Game

Washington State University is now part of a fast‑moving world where athletes can earn money and transfer schools at will. The old rules that kept players in one place for years have been replaced by a free‑market system. Players can now enter the transfer portal and move whenever they want, as long

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Feb 15 2026FINANCE

Stocks that Let You Earn While Watching the Market Move

In today’s market, picking the right shares is more important than simply buying an index. Two companies stand out for investors who want to earn extra cash through options while keeping their risk in check. One of them is a cybersecurity firm that has bounced back from a long decline. After months

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Feb 15 2026POLITICS

Ukraine’s President Calls Russian Leader a “War Slave”

Zelensky delivered a sharp message at the Munich Security Conference, calling Russia’s president a “slave to war” and warning that the conflict will not end by giving up territory. He compared current negotiations to the 1938 Munich Agreement, where European powers gave in to Hitler before World War

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