Independent News & People Network Desk of News

Trump and Maryland governor feud over Potomac River sewage spill disaster

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-18T16:02:55+00:00

President accused Wes Moore of ‘gross mismanagement’ after a massive sewer line ruptured last monthA month after one of the largest sewage spills in US history began soiling the Potomac River, Donald Trump and Maryland governor Wes Moore are fighting over who bears responsibility for a disaster involving a federally regulated pipeline that Moore does not control.The president used his social media platform on Monday to accuse Moore of “gross mismanagement” after a massive sewer line ruptured last month, causing what researchers describe as one of the largest sewage spills in US history. Contin

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Hundred-year reveal: Catalonian chalet confirmed as Gaudí work in centenary year

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-18T16:00:55+00:00

Xalet del Catllaràs contains elements of architect’s naturalistic style, expressed in works such as Park Güell and Sagrada FamíliaAn elegant modernist building in the mountains north of Barcelona, originally constructed to house engineers establishing a nearby mine, has been confirmed as a work of Antoni Gaudí, Catalonia’s most celebrated and distinctive architect.The Xalet del Catllaràs, about 80 miles from Barcelona in the county of Berguedà, was built in 1905 and commissioned by Eusebi Güell, Gaudí’s lifelong patron. Güell was the owner of a cement company with mines in the region and he ne

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Un an après avoir été mise dehors, la France revient au Tchad

Source: Le Monde - International · Published: 2026-02-18T16:00:09+00:00

La visite du président Mahamat Idriss Déby à l’Elysée, fin janvier, a acté la réconciliation entre Paris et N’Djamena, un an après le départ des soldats français du Tchad. Les projets de coopération comprennent un discret volet militaire.

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Baroda BNP Paribas launches ESG Best-in-Class Strategy Fund

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-02-18T15:59:50+00:00

This will enable investors to align long-term wealth creation, while getting exposure to companies with strong ESG performance

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Belgian investigation into three Jewish men sparks diplomatic row with US

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-18T15:54:29+00:00

US ambassador accused of interference after labelling inquiry into suspected illegal circumcisions ‘antisemitic’A diplomatic row is escalating between Belgium and the US, with Donald Trump’s ambassador refusing to apologise for accusing his host country of antisemitism and reportedly threatening to bar a socialist politician from travelling to the US.Bill White, a staunch ally of the president like many US ambassadors, on Monday demanded Belgium drop a “ridiculous” and “antisemitic” investigation into three Jewish men suspected of performing circumcisions without medical qualifications. Contin

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L’image de la France se dégrade aux yeux des investisseurs américains

Source: Le Monde - International · Published: 2026-02-18T15:53:07+00:00

Selon le baromètre annuel de la Chambre de commerce américaine en France, 77 % des sociétés américaines présentes dans l’Hexagone n’ont pas confiance « en la capacité du gouvernement à engager les réformes structurelles jugées nécessaires ».

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Turmoil at US constitution museum as leader exits ahead of 250th anniversary

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-18T15:48:13+00:00

Leadership disputes claim of political motive for ousting Jeffrey Rosen, who was praised for non-partisan approachThe first and only museum dedicated to the US constitution has been plunged into turmoil over the sudden departure of its president, a legal scholar widely respected for his commitment to non-partisanship.The National Constitution Center (NCC) in Philadelphia announced last month that Jeffrey Rosen would step down after 12 years to be replaced by Vince Stango on an interim basis. Continue reading...

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MCX, NSE remove additional margin on gold, silver

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-02-18T15:47:54+00:00

Gold prices have fallen significantly by 4-5 per cent from their February peak

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Labour to be ‘annihilated’ in Lancashire after local elections U-turn, party fears

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-18T15:46:42+00:00

County has highest number of reinstated elections following decision not to delay them for 30 English councils Labour figures in the county with the highest number of reinstated council elections, following the government’s recent U-turn, have said they fear the party will be “annihilated” when voters go to the polls in May.The polls had expected to be postponed pending a reorganisation of local government in the county and a move to unitary authorities, but earlier this week the local government secretary, Steve Reed, scrapped plans to delay the elections, after Reform UK threatened a legal

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Labour insiders fear ‘annihilation’ in Lancashire local elections after U-turn

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-18T15:46:42+00:00

County has highest number of reinstated elections following decision not to delay them for 30 English councils Labour figures in the county with the highest number of reinstated council elections, following the government’s recent U-turn, have said they fear the party will be “annihilated” when voters go to the polls in May.The polls had expected to be postponed pending a reorganisation of local government in the county and a move to unitary authorities, but earlier this week the local government secretary, Steve Reed, scrapped plans to delay the elections, after Reform UK threatened a legal

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Britons living in Europe face repayment hikes amid Reeves student loans row

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-18T15:43:48+00:00

Exclusive: UK graduates working in Germany and Belgium – and possibly other countries – informed of rises as salary threshold is cutBritons living in some European countries face a huge rise in their student loan repayments later this year, the Guardian can reveal, in a move that threatens to trigger a fresh backlash for Rachel Reeves.UK graduates working in Germany and Belgium – and possibly other countries – have been told that their monthly repayments will increase from April, the Guardian can reveal. Continue reading...

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Britons living in EU face repayment hikes amid Reeves student loans row

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-18T15:43:48+00:00

Exclusive: UK graduates in Germany, Belgium and possibly other countries informed of rises as salary threshold is cutBritons living in some European countries face a huge rise in their student loan repayments later this year, the Guardian can reveal, in a move that threatens to trigger a fresh backlash for Rachel Reeves.UK graduates working in Germany and Belgium – and possibly other countries – have been told that their monthly repayments will increase from April, the Guardian can reveal. Continue reading...

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Navi charts next phase with credit-on-UPI push, secured lending tilt

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-02-18T15:43:27+00:00

Navi UPI has scaled to a 3.2% market share by transaction volume and 1.3% by value within two years, emerging as the fourth-largest player in the ecosystem, says Navi CEO

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В Україні низький рівень гральної залежності населення, – результати дослідження KANTAR

Source: UNIAN (General) · Published: 2026-02-18T15:40:36+00:00

фото 112.uaВ Україні низький рівень показника лудоманії – Problem Gambling Severity Index. Це випливає з дослідження, яке проведено міжнародною компанією KANTAR. Про це повідомив президент Асоціації українських...

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"Держава не встигає блокувати сайти нелегальних казино. Гра в кота та мишку триває", – президент профільної асоціації Олександр Когут

Source: UNIAN (General) · Published: 2026-02-18T15:34:25+00:00

Президент Асоціації українських операторів грального бізнесу Олександр Когут розповів УНІАН про потенціал зростання ринку азартних ігор, вигоди від появи "українського Лас-Вегасу", проблеми ігрової залежності та обсяги тіньового ринку під росіянами.

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Baroda BNP Paribas launches ESG best-in-Class Strategy Fund

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-02-18T15:34:24+00:00

This will enable investors to align long-term wealth creation, while getting exposure to companies with strong ESG performance

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Pharma, life sciences GCCs cut drug development timelines, costs: Report

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-02-18T15:31:22+00:00

End-to-end adoption of AI, automation and advanced analytics across the value chain is compressing drug development timelines from 10–15 years to 9–13 years, says report

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An offer of friendship – but on white, Christian, Maga terms

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-18T15:30:32+00:00

Marco Rubio’s soothing tone in Munich masked a familiar message: Europe can remain America’s ally – but at a cost• Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up here“The greatness of America,” wrote the 19th-century French diplomat, political philosopher and historian Alexis de Tocqueville, “lies not in her being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.”For a brief moment at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) last weekend, European leaders half-thought that their most heartfelt wish – the return of the old US, that believed in the EU

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Rubio’s Munich speech was an offer of friendship – but on white, Christian, Maga terms

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-18T15:30:32+00:00

The top US diplomat’s soothing tone masked a familiar message: Europe can remain America’s ally – but at a cost• Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up here“The greatness of America,” wrote the 19th-century French diplomat, political philosopher and historian Alexis de Tocqueville, “lies not in her being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.”For a brief moment at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) last weekend, European leaders half-thought that their most heartfelt wish – the return of the old US, that believed in the EU i

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Realty check

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-02-18T15:29:39+00:00

SC’s criticism of RERA underscores need for reform

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Investors see potential in climate finance in India amid global energy transition

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-02-18T15:29:32+00:00

HSBC estimated that the global transition economy needs about $5 trillion a year — nearly double the current investment levels — with additional demand emerging from energy-intensive sectors such as AI-driven data centres

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Russia’s Exile From World Sports Will End Next Month at Paralympics

Source: New York Times - World · Published: 2026-02-18T15:25:47+00:00

Six Russian athletes and four Belarusians will be allowed to represent their nations, officials said. The decision could pave the way for a Russian team to compete at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

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