Independent News & People Network Desk of News

Russian threats against Baltics ‘unacceptable’ and danger to ‘our entire union’, EU’s von der Leyen says - as it happened

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T14:11:03+00:00

This blog is now closedIn Brussels, Rutte begins by stressing the importance of Nato ministers meeting in Sweden, the alliance’s “newest ally” who joined in 2024.“This says a great deal about how fundamentally our security environment has changed, especially when it comes to Europe. It is more dangerous, it is more contested and it makes it all the more important that Nato allies work together to safeguard our freedom and security,” he says. Continue reading...

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Google DeepMind in talks with UK unions amid staff concern over AI use by US and Israel

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T14:10:52+00:00

Exclusive: Workers sign petitions over applications of AI by governments for defence and intelligence, and vote to unioniseGoogle DeepMind has agreed to enter formal talks with UK tech workers that could lead to trade union representation, in a groundbreaking move that comes amid growing staff concerns about the use of its AI by the US and Israeli governments’ defence and intelligence.The artificial intelligence arm of the multi-trillion dollar Google empire, led by the Nobel prize winner Demis Hassabis, has agreed to meet the Communications Workers Union and Unite at the Advisory, Conciliatio

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Former US representative Barney Frank dies aged 86

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T14:09:02+00:00

Family says Massachusetts Democrat entered hospice care last month, dealing with congestive heart failureUS politics live – latest updatesBarney Frank, a former US representative and Democrat of Massachusetts, died on Tuesday night, his family has told NBC10 in Boston. He was 86.“He was, above all else, a wonderful brother. I was lucky to be his sister,” Doris Breay, Frank’s sister, told the outlet on Wednesday morning. Continue reading...

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ЗСУ знайшли слабке місце в ППО Москви, тепер удари мають стати регулярними, – експерт

Source: UNIAN (General) · Published: 2026-05-20T14:07:49+00:00

Він зазначив, що далекобійні удари в глибокий тил РФ потребують удосконалення та масштабування для знищення ресурсів, які допомагають Москві вести війну проти України.

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Ahmadinejad, che voleva cancellare Israele e che Trump e Netanyahu vorrebbero nuovo leader dell’Iran

Source: Repubblica Homepage · Published: 2026-05-20T14:04:46+00:00

Già sindaco di Teheran, è stato a capo della Repubblica dal 2005 al 2013, quando ha duramente represso l’“Onda verde”. Negava l’Olocausto e si presentava come uomo comune. Nel 2017 lodò il tycoon. Si è poi trasformato in un critico del governo, ai margini del sistema ma sempre popolare

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У Польщі звернулися до України через дрони, які залітають на територію НАТО

Source: UNIAN (General) · Published: 2026-05-20T14:02:00+00:00

Голова Міністерства оборони Польщі вважає, що Росія може використовувати інциденти з безпілотниками для провокацій, пропаганди та посилення гібридних дій.

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Ladakh Astro Week opens under Himalayan night skies

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-05-20T13:58:44+00:00

The event has drawn participation from astronomers, photographers, students and travellers across the country,

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Texas storms prompt canceled flights as north-east heatwave comes to a close

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T13:57:43+00:00

Flash flood warnings and school closures in Texas as the US north-east breaks heat records before a dramatic cooldownHundreds of flight cancellations have been reported in Texas as storms roll over the state, leading to flash flood warnings and school closures, while punishingly high temperatures in the north-east break records before a dramatic cool-down.Nearly 150 flights were canceled or delayed at Dallas Fort Worth international airport on Wednesday and nearly 700 delayed on Tuesday, according to Flightaware. The FAA issued a ground stop in Dallas and Love Field. Continue reading...

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Streeting says he resigned because Labour ‘in fight of our lives against nationalism’, and is currently losing – UK politics live

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T13:54:01+00:00

Former health secretary standing down after saying he no longer had confidence in Keir Starmer as PMLabour is in a curious, transitional state at the moment. Officially Keir Starmer is committed to staying as leader and prime minister until the next election. There is no formal leadership contest underway. But, informally, it has already started, with Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting already setting out their offer to the Labour membership. We will hear more from Streeting this afternoon. But much of the parliamentary party is already working on the basis that a Burnham premiership is all-but-in

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Vidéo de militants de la « flottille pour Gaza » agenouillés et les mains liées : Benyamin Nétanyahou critique son ministre de la sécurité nationale, Itamar Ben Gvir

Source: Le Monde - International · Published: 2026-05-20T13:46:53+00:00

« La manière dont le ministre Ben Gvir a traité les militants de la flottille n’est pas conforme aux valeurs et aux normes d’Israël », a déclaré premier ministre israélien, qui a par ailleurs appelé à expulser « dès que possible » les militants.

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Vidéo de militants de la « flottille pour Gaza » agenouillés et les mains liées : Benyamin Nétanyahou critique son ministre de la sécurité nationale, Itamar Ben Gvir

Source: Le Monde - International · Published: 2026-05-20T13:46:53+00:00

« La manière dont le ministre Ben Gvir a traité les militants de la flottille n’est pas conforme aux valeurs et aux normes d’Israël », a déclaré le premier ministre israélien, qui a par ailleurs appelé à expulser « dès que possible » les militants.

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Same but different: how Xi and China welcomed Trump and Putin

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T13:44:56+00:00

Choreography of back-to-back visits appeared deliberately mirrored but China made sure the differences were noticedDays after Donald Trump was greeted in Beijing with a military band, an honour guard and dozens of youths waving American and Chinese flags, Vladimir Putin arrived in China to an almost identical spectacle.The choreography of the two welcomes appeared deliberately mirrored, designed to showcase Beijing’s ability to host leaders from Washington and Moscow with equal grandeur. Continue reading...

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Lithuanian leaders rushed to bunkers as drone violates country’s airspace

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T13:43:30+00:00

Vilnius residents urged to take shelter during alert, after Nato and EU warn that Russia is diverting Ukraine’s dronesEurope live – latest updatesLithuania’s president and prime minister were rushed to underground bunkers and residents of the capital, Vilnius, urged to take shelter during a warning issued after a drone violated the country’s airspace.Air and train traffic in and around the city was suspended after the mobile phone “take shelter” alert, the first issued in an EU and Nato country since the start of Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Continue reading...

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Le gouvernement indien saborde la démocratie pour exclure les électeurs musulmans

Source: Le Monde - International · Published: 2026-05-20T13:37:57+00:00

Réélu de peu en 2024, le premier ministre indien, Narendra Modi, enfonce le clou de l’autoritarisme et du suprémacisme hindou en manœuvrant à l’échelle des scrutins régionaux : des commissions à ses ordres y sabrent massivement le corps électoral, avec pour cible prioritaire les citoyens de confession musulmane.

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‘We risk handing keys of No 10 to Reform’, Streeting tells MPs in resignation statement – UK politics live

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-05-20T13:36:33+00:00

Former health secretary standing down after saying he no longer had confidence in Keir Starmer as PMLabour is in a curious, transitional state at the moment. Officially Keir Starmer is committed to staying as leader and prime minister until the next election. There is no formal leadership contest underway. But, informally, it has already started, with Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting already setting out their offer to the Labour membership. We will hear more from Streeting this afternoon. But much of the parliamentary party is already working on the basis that a Burnham premiership is all-but-in

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Investment affected by lack of demand

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-05-20T13:28:56+00:00

To revive private investment, policymakers must act to improve mass consumption, and public expenditure needs to be determined by a well-thought-out industrial strategy

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