World


Trump threatens 200 pc tariffs on French wine to pressure Macron on peace initiative

Washington/Paris, Jan 20 (UNI) US President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to impose sweeping 200 pc tariffs on French wines and champagne, a move widely seen as an attempt to pressure French President Emmanuel Macron into supporting his proposed “Board of Peace” initiative aimed at resolving Gaza and other global conflicts.
Speaking to reporters, Trump suggested the punitive tariffs could be used to push France into cooperation after it was reported that Macron expressed his unwillingness to accept the invitation to join the initiative.
The proposed body would initially focus on the war in Gaza before expanding to other international conflicts, raising questions about how it would interact with existing institutions such as the United Nations.
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Bangladesh: Uncertainty looms over dual oath plan for newly elected MPs amid BNP objections

16 Feb 2026 | 9:19 PM

Dhaka, Feb 16 (UNI) The elected representatives of Bangladesh's 13th National Parliament are set to take their oath as Members of Parliament (MPs) on Tuesday, though uncertainty continues to linger over their swearing in ceremony, as increased doubts have risen over whether they will also be partaking in a second oath as members of the proposed Constitution Reform Council.

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German FM Wadephul calls on France to boost defence funding to match its rhetoric for European sovereignty

16 Feb 2026 | 7:50 PM

Berlin/Paris, Feb 16 (UNI) German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called on France to significantly increase its defence spending, arguing that European ambitions for strategic sovereignty will remain hollow unless backed by hard, financial commitments.

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Bangladesh: NCP to sign July Charter, paving way for new constitutional changes

16 Feb 2026 | 5:59 PM

Dhaka, Feb 16 (UNI) Bangladesh's National Citizen Party (NCP) is set to sign the July Charter on Monday evening at Jamuna, the residence of the Chief Advisor. Despite being one of the primary political parties in the country, the NCP was a non-signatory to the document when it was first drafted, back in October last year.

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OIC condemns Israeli land measures, urges urgent International action

16 Feb 2026 | 5:32 PM

Jeddah, Feb 16 (UNI) The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned a series of Israeli measures in the occupied West Bank, including the recent move to classify land as "state property," calling them illegal and a threat to the two-state solution.

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Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli land reclassification in West Bank

16 Feb 2026 | 5:31 PM

Riyadh, Feb 16 (UNI) The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has condemned Israel’s decision to reclassify lands in the occupied West Bank as “state lands,” calling it a violation of international law and a threat to peace efforts in the region.

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