Israel announced it would begin a contentious land registration process in the West Bank, while an Islamist party in Bangladesh became the main opposition for the first time, and European leaders pushed for increased sovereignty amidst strained relations with the United States, according to multiple news reports. These developments, along with a curling scandal at the Winter Olympics, marked a busy news cycle on February 16, 2026.
In the West Bank, the land registration process could give Israel control over large areas for future development, according to a government decision reported on Sunday by The Associated Press, as cited by NPR. This move comes after the resumption of "settlement of land title" processes, which had been frozen in the West Bank. Palestinians in the West Bank face a deepening economic crisis since the Gaza war, according to NPR.
Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, an Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, secured the position of main opposition for the first time in the country's history. The party's 11-party alliance won 77 of 300 seats in recent polls, according to final results announced by NPR, challenging the existing political system. However, concerns remain regarding the party's policies on women, as reported by NPR.
At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, a curling scandal erupted when Canadian curler Marc Kennedy cursed out a Swedish opponent during a match, a moment captured on live stream, according to NPR. The incident, which occurred during the Canada vs. Sweden match, challenged the "spirit of curling" and raised questions about the sport's future.
In Munich, European leaders expressed a desire for greater sovereignty, particularly in light of strained relations with the United States. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil stated, "We want to cut through knots, we want to find solutions always with the goal of strengthening Europe's sovereignty and making Europe strong," according to Time. Klingbeil referenced President Donald Trump's push to acquire Greenland, which led to threats of tariffs against European countries, as a catalyst for this shift. The Munich Security Conference saw U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio deliver a keynote speech, according to NPR.
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