Martha McHardy
Thu, January 22, 2026
Belgium has denied that it signed up to be part of Donald Trump’s controversial “peacekeeping” board in a blow to the U.S. president.
Trump’s “Board of Peace,” which offers permanent membership for a $1 billion dollar fee, has the stated goals of “promoting stability” and restoring “lawful governance” in conflict zones, initially focusing on reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
European partners have expressed skepticism about the initiative over fears it could replace the United Nations and after Trump invited Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin, who’s engaged in a bloody war against Western ally Ukraine, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close Putin ally and key enabler of that conflict.
Ahead of the signing ceremony on Thursday, the White House shared a list of signatories, which included countries like Belgium, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
But Belgium says it is not among the signatories.
“Belgium has NOT signed the Charter of the Board of Peace. This announcement is incorrect,” Maxime Prévot, Belgium’s deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, said in a post on X.
“We wish for a common and coordinated European response. As many European countries, we have reservations to the proposal.”
The Daily Beast has contacted the White House for comment.
Prévot on Tuesday accused Trump of trying to “replace the United Nations’ system” with his transitional “Board of Peace.” He described the project as “totally unacceptable,” and said Trump was trying to “create his own personal board.”
President Donald Trump greets Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán as he presents the “Board of Peace” onstage at the World Economic Forum on Jan. 22, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. / Chip Somodevilla / Getty ImagesMore
Tensions between the U.S. and European countries have already been high in recent weeks amid Trump’s threats to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark.
The president’s critics say these moves undermine the postwar system of international norms, while Trump has threatened to slap 10 percent tariffs on any countries that oppose his bid to seize control of the Danish-owned territory.
Trump says Board of Peace meant to oversee Gaza reconstruction ‘might’ replace UN
Amid the rift, not a single representative from a Western European country was present at the signing ceremony on Thursday.
Fewer than 20 nations made an appearance, well below the 35 anticipated by senior White House officials. Among the countries in attendance were Gulf States like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, along with Argentina and Paraguay. Israel was not in attendance.
“Every one of them’s a friend of mine,” Trump said from the stage. “In this group I like every single one of them, can you believe it? Usually I have about two or three that I can’t stand.”
“They’re great people,” he added. “They’re great leaders.”
MARIAM KHAN and KEVIN SHALVEY
Thu, January 22, 2026 at 3:10 AM MST
President Donald Trump hosted a signing ceremony for his Board of Peace on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, saying that it was a "very exciting day" and that the collective would become one of the "most consequential bodies" ever created.
"As everyone can see today, the first steps toward a brighter day for the Middle East and a much safer future for the world are unfolding right before your very eyes," Trump said in his opening remarks.
He added, "Together we are in a position to have an incredible chance -- I don't even call it a chance, I think it’s going to happen -- to end decades of suffering, stop generations of hatred and bloodshed and forge a beautiful, ever-lasting and glorious peace for that region."
More than two dozen countries have so far accepted Trump's invitation to join the board, but none of the U.S.'s major European allies have yet made a commitment and some have rejected the idea. Trump was flanked on the stage in Davos by more than a dozen leaders whose countries had agreed to be signatories. He described those who were present as "just the countries that are here."
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said in an interview on CNBC on Wednesday that up to 25 countries had accepted the invitation to join the board.
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump (C) holding a signed founding charter at the "Board of Peace" meeting during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on Jan. 22, 2026.More
Trump could potentially chair Board of Peace for life; $1 billion contributions are voluntary: US official
Invitations were sent over the weekend to more than 50 world leaders, according to U.S. officials. A White House official said about 30 countries were expected to join.
The initiative has drawn cautious responses from several U.S. allies who did not explicitly endorse the board or accept Trump's invitation as leaders question whether a U.N. alternative body is necessary.
Amir Cohen/Reuters - PHOTO: Destruction in Gaza as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border in southern Israel, January 21, 2026.
"I think the board of peace will be the most prestigious board ever, and it's going to get a lot of work done that the United Nations should have done," Trump said Wednesday. "And we'll work with the United Nations. But the Board of Peace is going to be special. We're going to have peace."
When asked by a reporter at the White House on Tuesday if the board would replace the U.N., Trump said: "It might."
France, Norway, and Sweden, have declined or expressed significant reservations about the board, while others like Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy have remained noncommittal.
Russia was also extended an invitation, the Kremlin confirmed this week, despite the country's continued assault on Ukraine.
"The proposal made to us primarily concerns the settlement in the Middle East and the search for possible ways to resolve the pressing problems of the Palestinian people and the most acute problems of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip," Russian President Vladimir Putin told a Russian Security Council meeting, state media reported.
Evan Vucci/AP - PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks during a Board of Peace charter announcement during the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.More
As of Thursday morning, more than 20 countries had said that they had accepted Trump's invitation. Those countries were: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bulgaria, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
"This is the greatest board ever assembled, and everybody wants to be on it," Trump told reporters in Davos on Wednesday. "I have some controversial people on it, but these are people that get the job done. These are people that have tremendous influence."
The full invitation list has not been made public by the White House.
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Visitors gather ahead of the Board of Peace meeting during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on Jan. 22, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to Jan. 23, 2026.More
Yvette Cooper, the U.K.’s foreign secretary, said during a BBC interview on Thursday that her country would not be among the signatories in Davos. Part of the reasoning behind that decision, she said, was the U.K.'s "concerns" about Putin being invited to be "part of something that's talking about peace when we've still not seen any signs from Putin that there will be commitment to peace in Ukraine."
During his remarks at the Board of Peace signing ceremony Thursday morning, Gaza ceasefire negotiator and real estate investor Jared Kushner unveiled some of the plans to redevelop war-torn Gaza.
Kushner said the plans for Gaza will emulate those of other newly redeveloped Middle Eastern cities, suggesting it will be completed in just two or three years.
“We've developed ways to redevelop Gaza. Gaza, as President Trump's been saying, has amazing potential, and this is for the people of Gaza,” Kushner said.
"We think this could be done in two, three years. We've already started removing the rubble and doing some of the demolition," he said.
But first, Kushner said, the next 100 days will be focused on sending humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, with quantities consistent with what was included in the Jan. 19, 2025, agreement, including rehabilitation of infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage); rehabilitation of hospitals and bakeries; and entry of necessary equipment to remove rubble and open roads.
The Board of Peace was first introduced last year with a two-year United Nations Security Council mandate to manage and rebuild Gaza, but the board's charter makes no direct reference to Gaza at all.
A copy of the charter draft reviewed by ABC News makes clear the Board of Peace has a much broader mandate as an "international organization" and "peacebuilding body" seeking to resolve the world's conflicts and securing enduring peace, akin to a U.S.-led alternative to the United Nations.
Trump, who is expected to chair the board, can potentially hold the position for life.
"The Chairmanship can be held by President Trump until he resigns it," a U.S. official said. "A future U.S. president, however, may choose to appoint or designate the United States' representative to the Board."
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump holds a signed founding charter at the "Board of Peace" meeting during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on Jan. 22, 2026.More
Trump's Board of Peace faces headwinds from allies as mandate appears broader than Gaza
The charter draft states that nations that accept the invitation will be given a three-year membership term, but permanent membership would be given to member states that contribute more than $1 billion in cash to the Board of Peace within the first year.
The U.S. official said that contributions to the board are "voluntary" and should not be considered as an entry fee to join. If member states choose to contribute money, the Board of Peace will "implement the highest financial controls and oversight mechanisms," the official said.
Putin suggested Russia could pay its $1 billion from assets frozen by the U.S. over its war with Ukraine.
The executive committee that would oversee the board will include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as well as Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ is a Grift on Global
Scale
January 22, 2026
Photograph Source: The White House – Public Domain
The absurdity of our times may best be summed up in the Trump regime’s brand new oxymoronic “Board of Peace.” Established by Trump on January 15, 2026, the board was initially conceived to coordinate the “rebuilding” of Gaza following Israel’s genocide and complete destruction of all infrastructure and most of its buildings and landmarks.
The founding executive members of this farcical board include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio who is one of the biggest cheerleaders for the invasion and kidnapping of Venezuelan president Maduro, real estate vulture and son-in-law to the president, Jared Kushner, and former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is best known for his war crimes in Iraq.
Unsurprisingly, Donald Trump, who possesses an ego with no bounds, appointed himself Chairman for Life. Permanent membership on the board requires an investment of 1 billion US dollars, to be paid in full in the first year.
While leaders in some 60 countries were invited, some have done so only symbolically or with caution. Others, like Russia’s Putin and Hungary’s Orban were eager to join.
But France’s Emmanuel Macron, rejected the offer outright, as it is widely seen as an attempt to subvert the United Nations. Trump, again unsurprisingly, has threatened 200% tariffs on French wine and champagne in an effort to pressure the French president into joining.
To say that the times we are living in are absurd is an obvious understatement. But at the root of this absurdity is a perverse inversion of truth. A “Board of Peace” created by a megalomaniac obsessed with imperial ambitions is the ultimate example of grift on a global scale.
As Palestinians suffer under an ongoing project of apartheid, ethnic cleansing and genocide, perpetrated by Israel and fueled by the United States and other Western countries, its future is being determined by a pack of jackals, salivating over the carcass of Gazan society.
But this “board” won’t stop at Gaza. The nascent consortium, which will include some of the world’s most notorious swindlers, despots and gangster capitalists, see this as the opportunity of a lifetime. A chance to carve up the world as they see fit. Filling their coffers under a noble, yet fetid, cloak of peace.
Trump didn’t win the Nobel Peace Prize, an award already stained with blood and rendered meaningless when it was given to Henry Kissinger. He has been obsessed with it for years. His “Board of Peace” is a pathetic attempt to exert dominance over the world under the guise of diplomatic cooperation. But, like every other venture and policy he has implemented, this one will be another con job.
AUTOCRATS, ARISTOCRATS & AUTHORITARIANS JOIN THE FASCIST INTERNATIONAL
Issued on: 22/01/2026 - FRANCE24
US President Donald Trump has signed the founding charter of “Board of Peace” at Davos. The Board will be indefinitely chaired by Trump, who will have “exclusive authority to create, modify or dissolve subsidiary entities”. Here's who is participating.
Video by: Elitsa GADEVA
About 30 countries expected to join Trump's 'Board of Peace'
Issued on: 22/01/2026
US President Donald Trump has unveiled his “Board of Peace,” a $1 billion initiative aimed at resolving international conflicts through permanent membership. Initially designed to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, a draft of the board’s charter suggests its mandate could extend beyond the Palestinian territory. France24 Senior reporter James André shares his insights.Video by: James ANDRE
Trump launches 'Board of Peace' at Davos signing ceremony
US President Donald Trump signed the charter to formally launch his "Board of Peace" initiative in Davos on Thursday, calling it a "very exciting day, long in the making".
"We're going to have peace in the world," Trump announced. "And we're all stars."
"Just one year ago the world was actually on fire, a lot of people didn't know it," Trump said in his opening speech. Yet "many good things are happening" and the threats around the world "are really calming down," the US president said.
Flanked by leaders of the board's founding member countries — including Argentinian President Javier Milei and Hungarian Premier Viktor Orbán — Trump also praised the work of his administration, "settling eight wars," and added that "a lot of progress" has been made toward ending Russia's all-out war in Ukraine.
He then took a moment to thank the heads of state in attendance. "We are truly honoured by your presence today,” Trump said, stating they were "in most cases very popular leaders, some cases not so popular.”
"In this group I like every single one of them," Trump quipped.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was next to praise the Board of Peace as “a group of leaders that is about action” and credited Trump for bringing it together.
“He’s not limited by some of the things that have happened in the past, and he’s willing to talk to or engage with anyone in the interest of peace,” Rubio said.
Rubio stressed the body’s job “first and foremost” is “making sure that this peace deal in Gaza becomes enduring.” Then, Rubio said, it can look elsewhere.
With details of the board’s operations still unclear, Rubio described it as a work in progress.
“Many others who are going to join, you know, others either are not in town today or they have to go through some procedure internally in their own countries, in their own country, because of constitutional limitations, but others will join,” Rubio said.
'Most prestigious board ever'
Trump has previously described the newly-formed body as potentially the "most prestigious board ever formed."
The project originated in his 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan endorsed by the UN Security Council but has expanded far beyond its initial mandate.
Approximately 35 nations had committed to joining while 60 received invitations, according to Trump administration officials. The president suggested the board could eventually assume UN functions or render the world body obsolete.
"We have a lot of great people that want to join," Trump said during a Wednesday meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, whose country confirmed membership.
Some leaders required parliamentary approval before committing, while uninvited nations were asking to be included, according to Trump.
Trump also defended inviting Russia's Vladimir Putin — who said he was consulting with "strategic partners" over Moscow's involvement — and strongman figures such as Belarus' Aliaksandr Lukashenka, saying he wanted "everybody" who was powerful and could "get the job done".
Several European allies declined participation. Norway, Sweden and France rejected invitations, with French officials expressing concern that the board might replace the UN as the world's main venue for conflict resolution, while affirming support for the Gaza peace plan itself.
Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said "the time has not yet come to accept the invitation," citing worries the mandate was overly broad and could undermine international order based on the UN Charter, according to STA news agency.
Canada, Ukraine and China had not indicated their positions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to join on Wednesday.
The UK said it would not sign the treaty at Trump's ceremony over concerns regarding the invitation to Putin, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said.
One billion dollar fee
Countries seeking permanent membership face a $1 billion contribution fee, with Trump designated as permanent chairman even after leaving office, according to a copy of the charter obtained by media outlets. Non-paying members would have a three-year mandate.
Trump's peace initiative follows threats of military action against Iran this month during violent government crackdowns on large street protests that killed thousands. The president signalled no new strikes after receiving assurances that Tehran would not execute detained protesters.
Trump argued his aggressive Iran approach, including June strikes on nuclear facilities, proved essential for achieving the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Iran served as Hamas' primary backer, providing hundreds of millions in military aid, weapons, training and financial support over the years.
"If we didn't do that, there was no chance of making peace," Trump said.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Davos on Thursday morning with Trump expressing frustration with both Zelenskyy and Putin over their inability to end the nearly four-year w
"I believe they're at a point now where they can come together and get a deal done," Trump said. "And if they don't, they're stupid — that goes for both of them."
THE CONVERSATION
It is hard to believe that Donald Trump has only been back in the White House for a year. His accomplishments are many – but most of them are of questionable durability or benefit, including for the United States.
Even his UN-endorsed 20-point ceasefire and transition plan for Gaza released on September 29 2025 is now in danger of being subsumed in yet another grandiose fantasy of the American president: the so-called “board of peace” to be chaired by Trump.
This group of international dignitaries was originally intended to oversee the work of a more technical committee, comprising technocrats responsible for the day-to-day recovery and rebuilding of Gaza. But the board of peace’s charter makes no mention of Gaza at all.
Instead, its opening sentence declares that “durable peace requires pragmatic judgment, common-sense solutions, and the courage to depart from approaches and institutions that have too often failed”.
To make this break with such an unseemly past, the board of peace proclaims itself to be “an international organization” to “secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict” and commits to conducting its operations “in accordance with international law”.
To which the immediate reaction is that unilateralism is increasingly the hallmark of Trump’s second administration. Settling conflicts is the prerogative of the UN. And, over the past year, the US has shown itself to be unconcerned about international law.
Membership of the board is by invitation from the chairman: Donald Trump – who has broad and flexible discretion on how long he will serve for and who will replace him when he does decide to go. Those invited can join for free for three years and buy themselves a permanent seat at the table for US$1 billion (£740 million) – in cash, payable in the first year.
With Trump retaining significant power over the direction of the board and many of its decisions it is not clear what US$1 billion would exactly buy the permanent members of the board – except perhaps a chance to ingratiate themselves with Trump.
There is no question that established institutions have often failed to achieve durable peace. Among such institutions, the UN has been a favourite target for Trump’s criticism and disdain, as evident in a recent directive to cease participating in and funding 31 UN organisations. Among them were the peace-building commission and the peace-building fund, as well as office of the special representative for children in armed conflict.
Is this the end for the United Nations?
The deeper and more tragic irony in this is threefold. First, there is strong evidence that the UN is effective as peace builder, especially after civil war, and that UN peacekeeping does work to keep the peace.
Second, there is no question that the UN does not always succeed in its efforts to achieve peace. But this is as much, if not more often, the fault of its member states.
There’s a long history of UN member states blocking security council resolutions, providing only weak mandates or cutting short the duration of UN missions. They have also obstructed operations on the ground, as is evident in the protracted crisis in Sudan, where the UN endlessly debates human suffering but lacks most of the funds to alleviate it.
Third, even though he is unlikely to ever admit it publicly, Trump by now has surely found out for himself that making peace is neither easy nor straightforward despite his claim to have solved eight conflicts.
And the more so if the “pragmatic judgement” and “commonsense solutions” that the charter to his board of peace subscribe to end up being, as seems likely, little more than a thin disguise for highly transactional deals designed to prioritise profitable returns for an America-first agenda.
Part of the reason why the UN has success as a peacemaker and peacebuilder is the fact that it is still seen as relatively legitimate. This is something that is unlikely to be immediately associated with Trump or his board of peace if it ever takes off.
Such scepticism appears well founded, particularly considering that among the invitees to join the board is the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, who is not particularly well known for his love of peace. Even Trump, on rare occasions, admittedly, seems to have come to this realisation. But it did not stop him from inviting Putin to join the board of peace.
What’s in it for Trump?
So, what to make of it all? Is it just another of Trump’s controversial initiatives that he hopes might eventually earn him the Nobel peace prize after all? Is it merely a money-making opportunity for Trump personally, or is it designed for his political and corporate allies, who might benefit from projects implemented by his board of peace? Ultimately, it might be any of these.
The real question needs to be about the consequences for the current system. What Trump is effectively proposing is to set up a corporate version of the UN, controlled and run by him. That he is capable of such a proposal should not come as a shock after 12 months of Trump 2.0.
More surprising is the notion that other political leaders will support it. This is one of the few opportunities they have to stop him in his tracks. It would not be a cost-free response, as the French president, Emmanuel Macron, has found when he did not appear sufficiently enthusiastic and Trump threatened the immediate imposition of 200% tariffs on French wine.
But more leaders should consider whether they really want to be Trump’s willing executioners when it comes to the UN and instead imagine, to paraphrase a well-known anti-war slogan, what would happen if Trump “gave a board of peace and no one came?”
Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham
Disclosure statement
Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU's Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.
A permanent seat on US President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" aimed at resolving conflicts will cost countries $1 billion each, according to its charter. Invited world leaders include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian premier Viktor Orban and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Issued on: 19/01/2026 -
By: FRANCE 24
01:52
US President Donald Trump's government has asked countries to pay $1 billion for a permanent spot on his "Board of Peace" aimed at resolving conflicts, according to its charter, seen Monday by AFP.
The White House has asked various world leaders to sit on the board, chaired by Trump himself, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian premier Viktor Orban and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Member countries – represented on the board by their head of state – would be allowed to join for three years – or longer if they paid more than $1.0 billion within the first year, the charter says.
"Each Member State shall serve a term of no more than three years from this Charter's entry into force, subject to renewal by the Chairman," the board's draft charter says.
01:47
"The three-year membership term shall not apply to Member States that contribute more than USD $1,000,000,000 in cash funds to the Board of Peace within the first year of the Charter's entry into force."
The board was originally conceived to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza, but its charter does not appear to limit its role to the occupied Palestinian territory.
The White House said there would be a main board, a Palestinian committee of technocrats meant to govern devastated Gaza, and a second "executive board" that appears designed to have a more advisory role.
"The Board of Peace is an international organization that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict," the charter says.
'Failed institutions'
It appears to take a swipe at international institutions such as the United Nations, saying that the board should have "the courage to depart from approaches and institutions that have too often failed."
Trump has regularly criticized the United Nations and announced this month that his country will withdraw from 66 global organizations and treaties – roughly half affiliated with the UN.
Membership of the board would be "limited to States invited to participate by the Chairman," according to the draft charter.
Trump would have the power to remove member states from the board, subject to a veto by two-third of members, and choose his replacement should he leave his role as chairman.
The "Board of Peace" began to take shape on Saturday when the leaders of Egypt, Turkey, Argentina and Canada were asked to join.
Trump also named as members Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British prime minister Tony Blair, senior negotiator Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Israel has objected to the line-up of a "Gaza executive board" to operate under the body, which includes Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Issued on: 20/01/2026
PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, January 20: Donald Trump's "board of peace" in Gaza aims to oversee the peace process between Israel and Hamas, but critics say he intends to create a rival body to the UN. Also, the Italian dailies pay tribute to the "ultimate emperor" of Italian fashion, Valentino, who has died aged 93. The Beckham family's disputes are the focus of the British tabloids. Finally, an Austrian cow proves that the animals are extremely intelligent.
We begin with Donald Trump's so-called board of peace in Gaza. Officially, the board aims to oversee the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, as The New York Times reports. Trump sent out letters of invitations last week to "historically close" US allies like Canada and France, but also Russia and Belarus. The charter of the board indicated a desire to get involved in all types of global conflicts, beyond just Gaza. As the Times notes, this is why critics fear the board is set up to rival the UN. So far, only a handful of Trump-allied countries have RSVPd positively.
There is a catch, of course. Countries that agree to join the board can serve for three years, but that can be permanent if they agree to pay $1 billion in cash to the board. The Wall Street Journal calls it Trump’s "One-billion-dollar diplomacy club." The charter doesn't say how these funds will be used and by whom. But of course, Trump would have overriding powers to veto and revoke membership. Despite overseeing Gaza, the board does not have any Palestinian members yet. French President Emmanuel Macron says France doesn't plan to join. This prompted Trump to threaten a 200 percent tax on French champagne and wine. The Guardian's Owen Jones is outraged about the council, which he calls an "appalling neocolonial project". The fact that not a single seat is reserved for a Palestinian, he says, shows that Trump aims to play the role of "Gaza’s emperor."
We move on to a man the Italian dailies are calling an emperor: fashion designer Valentino Garavani, who has passed away in Rome at 93. Valentino was known mononymously and dressed royals, Hollywood stars and first ladies. The tributes are pouring in for a man who defined Italian fashion. La Repubblica calls him the "ultimate emperor." Il Giornale calls him "Saint Valentino" and bids adieu to a "man who defined style." "Red Paradise," La Stampa says, alluding to the colour that defined Valentino and his designs, even becoming known for the Valentino Rosso shade. Il Messagero says "Roma in the world". Valentino set up his fashion house in the Italian capital in 1960.
Next, there's trouble in paradise for the Beckham family, whose family spats are playing out in the British tabloids. Brooklyn Beckham, the eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham, broke his silence on social media about a growing rift within his family. He laid it on thick and fast and has disowned his parents, the Daily Star reports. He accused his parents of being obsessed with the family name and publicity, accused his mother of being too controlling, of disrespecting his wife, of humiliating him during his wedding and of trying to bribe him to sign away the rights to his family name. The tirade is as extraordinary as it is rare these days. "Brooklyn goes nuclear," the Daily Mail says on its front page
Finally, scientists are astounded by a discovery about the intelligence of cows and they can thank Veronika, a beautiful brown cow living peacefully in the Austrian Alps. She recently demonstrated an "impressive and until now undocumented" knack for tool use, the Guardian reports. Veronika was observed using a stick to scratch her back – this tool use was previously only seen in humans and chimpanzees. Researchers discovered that she could also pick up a broom and wield it according to the job at hand. It's proof that cows are much more intelligent than we give them credit for!
VIDEO BY: Dheepthika LAURENT
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