GOV

Feb 12 2026POLITICS

Russia’s Move to Replace WhatsApp with a State‑Made Messenger

The Russian government has stopped the popular messaging app WhatsApp in an effort to push people toward a new, state‑backed platform called Max. The change follows years of pressure on foreign messaging services that the authorities say do not keep user data inside Russia or stop illegal use. Ma

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Feb 12 2026POLITICS

GOVERNORS AND THE WHITE HOUSE: A TANGLE OF INVITATIONS

A meeting at the White House that usually brings governors together has turned into a political mess. The event is scheduled for February 20 and usually includes governors from every state, both Democrats and Republicans. President Trump said he sent invitations to all governors except two Dem

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Feb 12 2026OPINION

Immigrants Face the Brunt When a Country Looks for an Enemy Inside

The United States has poured billions into programs that target people who are not born in the country. Many of those efforts aim at individuals who, like the writer, have lived here for decades and hold American citizenship. The funds go into sending federal officers to cities, searching neighborho

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Feb 12 2026POLITICS

Why Russia's Telegram Restrictions Could Backfire

Russia's recent decision to tighten controls on Telegram has sparked a wave of criticism, particularly from those who rely on the app for essential communication. The state's communications regulator announced further restrictions, citing Telegram's failure to address criminal and terrorist activiti

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Feb 12 2026BUSINESS

Drug Companies Scramble to Join Trump's Pricing Plan

Pharmaceutical firms not included in President Trump's drug pricing agreements are now trying to negotiate their own deals. This move is aimed at avoiding potential tariffs and new pricing regulations. Industry insiders reveal that these companies are reaching out to the White House and Medicare off

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Feb 11 2026POLITICS

A New Social Media Leader Raises Questions at Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security has added a new social media manager from the Labor Department, sparking debate after his earlier posts raised concerns about extremist language. Peyton Rollins, 21, took on the role of digital communications director at DHS this month. His work in the Labor De

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Feb 11 2026POLITICS

Candidate Pulls Out After Tragic Loss

Jeff Johnson, who had been running for governor in Minnesota, decided to end his campaign after a heartbreaking event. His 22‑year‑old daughter, Hallie Marie Tobler, was found dead with multiple stab wounds in her St. Cloud apartment over the weekend. The same house was where Hallie’s husband,

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Feb 07 2026POLITICS

Competition, Not a Shortcut: How 8(a) Contracts Work

The public debate about the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) program has drifted from facts to exaggeration. Many claim the program lets firms grab federal contracts without competition, but that is a false picture. An 8(a) company does not have a special license to win contracts by default. It

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Jan 29 2026POLITICS

Spain's Rail Safety Under the Spotlight

Spain's rail network has been in the headlines recently, and not for good reasons. Two serious accidents in January have put the government's spending on railways under scrutiny. A high-speed train crash in the south killed 45 people, and just two days later, a derailment in Catalonia took the life

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Jan 29 2026POLITICS

Iran's Heavy Hand: Fear and Arrests After Protests

Iran is in the grip of a massive crackdown. Security forces, dressed in plain clothes, are grabbing people left and right. They're throwing them into secret jails. Why? To stop any more protests. The government is scared. They've seen what can happen when people get angry. It all started with small

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