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president ali bongo

School Money Crisis: Why Teachers and Students Are In Trouble

February 18, 2026

The state budget for 2027 has sparked anger among Connecticut school leaders. Superintendent Steven Rioux of Putnam Public Schools is asking the town to raise property taxes by 7. 23 %—a jump from last year’s 1. 66 %. He says the district needs $1. 6 million more to cover rising costs for health ins

politics

Portland Schools Face Federal Probe Over New Black Student Center

February 18, 2026

The U. S. Department of Education has launched an inquiry after a complaint claimed that Portland Public Schools engaged in “racial preferencing” by creating the Center for Black Student Excellence. A conservative nonprofit, Defending Education, argued that spending up to $25 million on the cente

politics

Ukraine Hits Belarus with New Sanctions Over War Aid

February 18, 2026

Ukraine has added a new set of restrictions on Belarus’s leader, Alexander Lukashenko. The aim is to punish Minsk for helping Russia in its conflict with Kyiv. Belarus has been a key launch pad for Russian forces and drones that attack Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the country will st

business

Farmers Gather for Big Meeting in Grand Island

February 18, 2026

The Aurora Cooperative hosted a large gathering last week, drawing more than 700 people who work in farming and ranching. The event took place at the town’s center and included students from local high schools who are part of the Future Farmers of America. During the meeting, the company’s chief

politics

Europe’s Quiet Reckoning Over Post‑Soviet Peace

February 18, 2026

The U. S. ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, told a Washington broadcast that Europe’s relaxed stance after the Soviet collapse is now at odds with the reality of war in Ukraine. He said European leaders are not worried about U. S. support, but rather the growing danger on their own continent as

sports

Russia’s Return to the Paralympics: A New Chapter

February 18, 2026

Russia will send a small delegation to the 2026 Paralympic Games in Italy, ending over ten years of sports isolation. The move follows growing support among international sporting bodies to lift the long‑standing Olympic ban on Russian athletes. It also opens the possibility for a full Russian team

religion

The World in Ashes: A Call for Reflection

February 18, 2026

In Rome, a solemn Mass began the Lenten season with ashes that symbolised more than mortality. The leader of the Catholic Church spoke about a planet “on fire” from war and environmental loss. He described the ash as a reminder of cities destroyed, broken law, and ruined ecosystems. The message w

technology

AI Watch: Who’s Monitoring Health Insurers’ Use of Technology?

February 18, 2026

Health insurers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to streamline claims, detect fraud, and predict patient needs. But who keeps an eye on how these powerful tools are being applied? A growing number of regulators and watchdog groups are stepping up their scrutiny. The Centers for

weather

Snowy Surprise? NYC Might Get a Few Inches This Weekend

February 18, 2026

The weather in New York City is set to stay mild most of the week, but a winter storm could still deliver some plowable snow over the weekend. A senior meteorologist says that early rain will sneak in from Wednesday to Friday, mostly light drizzle. The real action starts late Sunday when a sys

weather

Wildfire Chaos: A Chicago‑Sized Blaze Sweeps Two States

February 18, 2026

The sky turned orange over Oklahoma and Kansas when the Ranger Road Fire erupted on Tuesday afternoon, quickly expanding to a size that rivals Chicago. In just eight hours the blaze consumed an area equivalent to three or four football fields every second, leaving over 145, 000 acres scorched and no