Independent News & People Network Desk of News

Israeli security minister stirs diplomatic outrage with flotilla activist abuse video

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T18:15:34+00:00

Far-right figure Itamar Ben-Gvir shares footage of himself taunting bound international detaineesIsrael’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has sparked a diplomatic crisis by publishing footage of Israeli security forces abusing international activists who were detained as they tried to sail to Gaza with aid.There was a rapid and furious response from countries whose citizens were on board the boats, including the UK, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Ireland, in many cases delivered in person from the top of government. Continue reading...

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Badenoch says Labour ‘just want a better salesman’. It would be a good start

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T18:14:47+00:00

Starmer has a reasonable list of achievements in power but has undermined himself with a lack of political storytellingNet migration down by three-quarters, the biggest fall in NHS waiting lists for 17 years, knife crime cut by 10%, the economy growing the fastest in the G7, rising wages, energy bills and petrol prices held down, the biggest sustained rise in defence spending since the cold war, a massive expansion of free childcare …If Keir Starmer did tub-thumping lists of Labour’s achievements in the style of Gordon Brown, he would not actually have a shortage of things to talk about. Conti

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Barney Frank, one of first openly gay members of US Congress, dies aged 86

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T18:14:38+00:00

Obama hails Frank as a ‘one of a kind’ LGBTQ+ advocate and key architect of ‘sweeping financial reforms’US politics live – latest updatesBarney Frank, the former US representative who made history as one of the first openly gay members of Congress, died on Tuesday night. He was 86.“He was, above all else, a wonderful brother. I was lucky to be his sister,” Doris Breay, Frank’s sister, told NBC10 in Boston on Wednesday morning. Continue reading...

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Barney Frank, one of first out gay members of US Congress, dies aged 86

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T18:14:38+00:00

Obama hails Frank as a ‘one of a kind’ LGBTQ+ advocate and key architect of ‘sweeping financial reforms’US politics live – latest updatesBarney Frank, the former US representative who made history as one of the first out gay members of Congress, died on Tuesday night. He was 86.“He was, above all else, a wonderful brother. I was lucky to be his sister,” Doris Breay, Frank’s sister, told NBC10 in Boston on Wednesday morning. Continue reading...

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EN DIRECT, guerre au Moyen-Orient : l’Iran « examine actuellement » une nouvelle proposition américaine, assure Téhéran

Source: Le Monde - International · Published: 2026-05-20T18:09:42+00:00

Le ministère des affaires étrangères iranien a réitéré les exigences de la République islamique : « le dégel des avoirs iraniens bloqués » à l’étranger et la fin du blocus américain des ports iraniens. Côté américain, Donald Trump, qui s’est félicité du blocus des ports iraniens, a répété, plus tôt mercredi, que Téhéran « veut désespérément conclure un accord », sans exclure une nouvelle offensive.

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EN DIRECT, guerre au Moyen-Orient : l’Iran dit examiner une nouvelle proposition américaine

Source: Le Monde - International · Published: 2026-05-20T18:09:40+00:00

Le ministère des affaires étrangères iranien a réitéré les exigences de la République islamique : « le dégel des avoirs iraniens bloqués » à l’étranger et la fin du blocus américain des ports iraniens. Côté américain, Donald Trump, qui s’est félicité du blocus des ports iraniens, a répété, plus tôt mercredi, que Téhéran « veut désespérément conclure un accord », sans exclure une nouvelle offensive.

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Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the US and Israel’s unlikely choice to lead Iran

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T18:09:22+00:00

Populist former president’s falling-out with the Tehran regime allegedly drew him into a takeover plotUS and Israel hoped to install Ahmadinejad as Iran’s leaderFor all their outward differences, there always seemed to be things that linked Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Donald Trump.A visit to the then Iranian president’s rather humble Tehran neighbourhood nearly 20 years ago highlighted cost of living problems that prefigured those facing Trump now. Continue reading...

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Trump may see himself in Ahmadinejad but having him lead Iran was a perplexing idea

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T18:09:22+00:00

Former Iranian president has a populist, headline-grabbing communication style but is an avowed anti-Zionist. How could Israel see him as a man to do business with?US and Israel hoped to install Ahmadinejad as Iran’s leaderFor all their outward differences, there always seemed to be things that linked Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Donald Trump.A visit to the then Iranian president’s rather humble Tehran neighbourhood nearly 20 years ago highlighted cost of living problems that prefigured those facing Trump now. Continue reading...

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Secours porté aux migrants : les ONG entravées par les autorités italiennes

Source: Le Monde - International · Published: 2026-05-20T18:00:11+00:00

« Migrants en Méditerranée, la mécanique du silence » (3/4). Depuis l’entrée en fonctions de la présidente du conseil italien, Giorgia Meloni, en 2022, les organisations de secours aux migrants ont de plus en plus de difficultés à intervenir. En Italie, un arsenal juridique les contraint. Près des côtes africaines, l’un de leurs équipages a essuyé les tirs de gardes-côtes libyens en août 2025.

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Starmer’s top advisers knew about ‘indefensible’ journalists probe, documents reveal

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T17:58:29+00:00

PM’s former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, among aides who were briefed on investigation into journalists writing about Labour TogetherKeir Starmer’s most senior advisers were briefed about an “indefensible” investigation into journalists writing critical pieces about the Labour Together thinktank, according to a newly released document.Among the aides who received updates on the probe, commissioned by the thinktank’s director, Josh Simons, were Morgan McSweeney, the former chief of staff to the prime minister. Continue reading...

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Todd Blanche announces indictment of former Cuban president Raúl Castro over downing of two planes in 1996 – US politics live

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T17:55:19+00:00

Acting US attorney general speaks at press conference after indictment of former Cuban president unsealed Sign up for the Breaking News US emailIn response to a question on Wednesday morning about how long Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, will hold on before re-starting strikes on Iran, Trump said: “He’s fine. He’ll do whatever I want him to do.”Trump also cited a poll that gave him 99% approval in Israel. Guardian US has not yet verified this poll. Continue reading...

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Outrage grows over treatment of Gaza flotilla activists; US boards Iranian oil tanker – Middle East crisis live

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T17:53:53+00:00

Spain summons Israel’s ambassador as countries condemn treatment of activists in video shared online; tanker was accused of violating blockade before being releasedThe Jordanian military announced it had shot down a drone of unknown origin in its airspace on Wednesday, AFP reports.No casualties were reported. Continue reading...

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Meta cuts 8,000 jobs in sweeping global layoffs

Source: Al Jazeera - World · Published: 2026-05-20T17:44:37+00:00

Meta cancels hiring plans for 6,000 roles amid ongoing layoffs and a pivot to artificial intelligence development.

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Aardvark calf born at Chester zoo is ‘doing brilliantly’ after bottle-feeding

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T17:39:21+00:00

Births of the mammals extremely rare in captivity, say keepers, with ‘Womble’ only the second calf born at ChesterInside a heated incubator at Chester zoo, a wrinkled newborn aardvark nicknamed “Womble” spent its first weeks being bottle-fed milk through the night by keepers determined to keep the rare calf healthy.Named after the creatures in Elisabeth Beresford’s children’s books and the subsequent animated TV series, the nocturnal animal is only the second aardvark born at the zoo in its 94-year history. Keepers say births of the species are extremely rare in captivity, with the last aardva

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Norwegian court blocks extradition to Greece of migrant rights activist

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T17:37:21+00:00

Case hailed as human rights victory as Tromsø court says Tommy Olsen’s actions are lawful and protected under international treatiesThe decision of a Norwegian appeals court to dismiss the extradition of an activist accused of facilitating the illegal entry of people into Greece has been hailed as a rare victory for human rights.In a judgment described as unprecedented by lawyers representing Tommy Olsen, the Norwegian founder of the NGO the Aegean Boat Report, the court unanimously rejected the request saying his actions were not only lawful but protected under international treaties to which

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Итоги торгов на Мосбирже 20 мая

Source: Vedomosti – All Articles · Published: 2026-05-20T17:32:36+00:00

Главный бенчмарк российского фондового рынка по итогам основной сессии в среду, 20 мая, опустился на 0,87% до 2640,32 пункта. Его долларовый аналог индекс РТС упал на 0,39% и составил 1172,3 пункта.

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Incoming Ofcom chair vows to take on ‘tech bros’

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T17:32:24+00:00

Ian Cheshire says media regulator must address perception it has been complacent and slow on online safetyOfcom’s incoming chair has vowed to take on the “tech bros”, as he conceded there was now a perception the regulator had been complacent and slow over concerns about online safety.Ian Cheshire, the former Channel 4 chair who has secured the job overseeing the technology and media regulator, also told MPs he had personal concerns about the impact of social media on under-16s. Continue reading...

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Israel Minister Taunts Pro-Palestinian Flotilla Activists in Video

Source: New York Times - World · Published: 2026-05-20T17:10:12+00:00

In the video, the national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, walks past activists in handcuffs and forced to kneel on the deck of a ship. It drew outrage at home and abroad.

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US indicts former Cuban president Raúl Castro as it intensifies pressure

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T17:08:57+00:00

Charges filed in Miami against 94-year-old for allegedly shooting down exiles’ planes in 1996The United States has issued a federal criminal indictment against Raúl Castro, Cuba’s former president, on Wednesday, and five others in a significant escalation of the Trump administration’s campaign to oust the country’s six-decades-old communist regime.The 94-year-old political figurehead was charged in Miami, Florida, with conspiracy to kill US nationals, four counts of murder and two counts of destruction of aircraft, according to court filings obtained by CBS. Continue reading...

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US indicts former Cuban president Raúl Castro as it seeks to oust regime

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T17:08:57+00:00

Charges filed in Miami against 94-year-old for allegedly shooting down exiles’ planes in 1996The United States has issued a federal criminal indictment against Raúl Castro, Cuba’s former president, on Wednesday, and five others in a significant escalation of the Trump administration’s campaign to oust the country’s six-decades-old communist regime.The 94-year-old political figurehead was charged in Miami, Florida, with conspiracy to kill US nationals, four counts of murder and two counts of destruction of aircraft, according to court filings obtained by CBS. Continue reading...

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En Pologne, le hongrois Péter Magyar affiche sa rupture avec la diplomatie de Viktor Orban

Source: Le Monde - International · Published: 2026-05-20T17:07:54+00:00

Pour son premier déplacement officiel à l’étranger, le nouveau premier ministre de la Hongrie a choisi la Pologne, affichant sa volonté de réchauffer des relations diplomatiques avec le gouvernement polonais proeuropéen de Donald Tusk. Le dirigeant hongrois est attendu à Vienne, jeudi, puis à Bruxelles, dimanche et lundi.

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Une vidéo de militants de la « flottille pour Gaza » agenouillés et les mains liées, diffusée par le ministre israélien Ben Gvir, suscite un tollé

Source: Le Monde - International · Published: 2026-05-20T17:01:00+00:00

« Monstrueux, indigne et inhumain » : cette vidéo humiliante diffusée par le ministre de la sécurité nationale indigne plusieurs gouvernements, y compris celui d’Israël, la France, l’Espagne, la Belgique et les Pays-Bas allant jusqu’à convoquer leurs ambassadeurs d’Israël.

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Une vidéo de militants de la flottille pour Gaza agenouillés et les mains liées, diffusée par le ministre israélien Ben Gvir, suscite un tollé

Source: Le Monde - International · Published: 2026-05-20T17:00:59+00:00

Cette vidéo humiliante diffusée par le ministre de la sécurité nationale indigne plusieurs gouvernements, y compris celui d’Israël. La France, l’Espagne, la Belgique et les Pays-Bas vont jusqu’à convoquer les ambassadeurs israéliens dans leur pays.

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Une vidéo de militants de la flottille pour Gaza agenouillés et les mains liées, diffusée par le ministre israélien Ben Gvir, provoque l’indignation

Source: Le Monde - International · Published: 2026-05-20T17:00:59+00:00

Cette vidéo humiliante diffusée par le ministre de la sécurité nationale indigne plusieurs gouvernements, y compris celui d’Israël. La France, l’Espagne, la Belgique et les Pays-Bas vont jusqu’à convoquer les ambassadeurs israéliens dans leur pays.

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Vingt-cinq ans de la loi Taubira : « Le passé esclavagiste reste insuffisamment intégré dans les récits nationaux », estime Ibrahima Thioub, historien sénégalais

Source: Le Monde - International · Published: 2026-05-20T17:00:21+00:00

Le spécialiste des systèmes de domination internes à l’Afrique explique, dans un entretien au « Monde », que la question des réparations liées à l’esclavage ne peut se réduire à une simple indemnisation financière.

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Russian jet causes ‘dangerous’ near collision after flying close to RAF spy plane

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T17:00:12+00:00

UK government calls incident ‘unacceptable’ after Su-27 jet comes within six metres of unarmed spy plane over Black SeaA Russian jet flew within six metres of an RAF spy plane flying at 500mph over the Black Sea, one of two mid-air incidents last month described as “dangerous and unacceptable” by the defence secretary, John Healey.An Su-27 jet conducted six passes in front of an unarmed RAF Rivet Joint flying close to its nose, risking a collision that could have caused a diplomatic crisis between the two countries. Continue reading...

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Russian jet causes ‘dangerous’ near miss after flying close to RAF spy plane

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T17:00:12+00:00

UK calls incident ‘unacceptable’ after Su-27 jet comes within six metres of unarmed RAF plane over Black SeaA Russian jet flew within six metres of an RAF spy plane flying at 500mph over the Black Sea, one of two mid-air incidents last month described as “dangerous and unacceptable” by the defence secretary, John Healey.An Su-27 jet conducted six passes in front of an unarmed RAF Rivet Joint flying close to its nose, risking a collision that could have caused a diplomatic crisis between the two countries. Continue reading...

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Former health minister with terminal cancer urges MPs not to bring back assisted dying bill

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T16:59:56+00:00

Exclusive: Ashley Dalton said rejected amendments could have made bill stronger but it became a ‘pretty dangerous set of affairs’A former public health minister facing terminal cancer has urged MPs not to bring back the assisted dying bill.The Labour MP Ashley Dalton revealed she would be on lifelong treatment for metastatic breast cancer which has spread throughout her body – but said her parliamentary colleagues should not revive the bill which would legalise an assisted death to those with a terminal illness. Continue reading...

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Former minister with terminal cancer urges MPs not to bring back assisted dying bill

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T16:59:56+00:00

Exclusive: Ashley Dalton says rejected amendments could have made bill stronger but it became a ‘pretty dangerous set of affairs’A former public health minister facing terminal cancer has urged MPs not to bring back the assisted dying bill in England and Wales.The Labour MP Ashley Dalton revealed she would be on lifelong treatment for metastatic breast cancer, which has spread throughout her body – but said her parliamentary colleagues should not revive the bill, which would legalise an assisted death to those with a terminal illness. Continue reading...

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