IC

Feb 15 2026SPORTS

Big Ten Shake‑Ups: Wisconsin’s 3‑Point Surge and Michigan State’s Rough Patch

"Three days after pulling off a surprise win at Illinois, Wisconsin pushed its way up the NCAA tournament rankings by blasting Michigan State 92‑71. The Badgers’ victory showed how powerful their new fast‑pace style can be, especially from beyond the arc. They’ve hit 15 or more threes in five games

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Feb 15 2026SPORTS

Brazil and Kazakhstan Grab First Winter Olympic Golds

Bormio, Italy, hosted a surprise that shook the Winter Games. A Brazilian skier, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, won gold in men’s giant slalom, becoming the first South American to medal at a Winter Olympics. His win redefines what athletes from Brazil can achieve, a country famous for football and sunny

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Feb 15 2026POLITICS

Budget Crunch Hits Maryland Schools

The state’s biggest education plan is still in motion, but the money needed to keep it running is a growing worry. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future calls for huge spending, and the only way lawmakers see to pay is by raising taxes and fees. Because of this, critics ask: Will the extra money re

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Feb 15 2026POLITICS

The Horn of Africa Gets a New Rivalry

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are pushing their own agendas in the Horn of Africa, turning a regional summit into a stage for their competition. What started as a fight in Yemen has now spread across the Red Sea, touching places like Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Libya. The

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Feb 15 2026POLITICS

U. S. and Europe Talk About Friendship at Munich

The U. S. Secretary of State spoke in Munich, calling America a “child of Europe” to show that the two sides still care about each other. He hoped to calm worries in Europe over war, trade and changing global rules. The speech was brief and avoided talking about Russia, which made some people wonder

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Feb 15 2026POLITICS

Trump’s Bad Bunny Blunder and the Latino Vote

President Trump fired back at Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny after the singer’s Super Bowl halftime show, calling it a “slap in the face” and saying nobody understood the Spanish lyrics. The comment shocked many Republican Latino strategists who worry that such remarks could turn a key part of Trump’s

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Feb 15 2026POLITICS

Oregon Hits Pause on Medicaid Redesign

The state of Oregon recently set aside a bill that would have changed how Medicaid decides what medical services it pays for. The proposal, known as House Bill 4003, was meant to update the state’s rules to match new federal requirements that force Oregon to stop using its long‑standing “prioritized

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Feb 15 2026POLITICS

Berlinale’s Politics: A New Look at the Festival’s Fight for Free Speech

The Berlin film festival, founded in 1950 as a voice for the free world, has long been a stage for political protest. In recent years it backed Iranian demonstrators, condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and amplified Ukrainian filmmakers in exile. This year the focus has shifted from film to p

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Feb 15 2026POLITICS

Court Ruling Fuels Redistricting Fight Across the Nation

The Supreme Court’s 2019 decision in Rucho v. Common Cause removed federal courts from judging partisan gerrymandering, a move that has set the stage for new maps that favor one party over another. States now redraw districts with a focus on political advantage, and the courts have largely steppe

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Feb 15 2026POLITICS

Valentine Vibes, Sports Wins, and City Politics in One Week

Chicago celebrates love with a bright sports highlight. An American skier got engaged after winning gold at the Milan Cortina Games, while ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates earned silver. The U. S. team also saw Lindsey Vonn crash and miss the Games, but Jordan Stolz won gold in speedskati

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