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Multiple Global Crises Dominate Headlines as Key Figures Make Headlines
BRUSSELS/PYONGYANG/DHAKA/KYIV - February 13, 2026 - A flurry of international events, ranging from military conflicts to political transitions, dominated global headlines on Friday. Russia launched a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities, while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) claimed victory in the country's first election since 2024. Simultaneously, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is reportedly preparing to name his daughter as his successor, and a senior US official urged European allies to take a greater role in their own defense.
According to Al Jazeera, Russian forces launched 219 drones and 24 ballistic missiles on Thursday night, causing casualties and damage in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that Moscow was hesitant about further talks brokered by the United States. This came as the war entered its 1,450th day.
Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, the BNP announced its victory in the recent election. Sky News reported that the party's media unit stated it had secured enough parliamentary seats to govern independently. However, official results from the Election Commission were still pending, although several local media outlets confirmed the BNP's win. The BNP is led by Tarique Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in self-imposed exile.
In North Korea, intelligence reports suggest that Kim Jong Un is poised to name his teenage daughter as the next leader. Sky News reported that the announcement could come at a party congress later this month. Experts believe the girl, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae, could be appointed first secretary of the ruling party.
Amidst these developments, a senior US official emphasized the need for European allies to strengthen their own defense capabilities. Elbridge Colby, the US Under Secretary of War, told members of the alliance to prepare for potential simultaneous strikes in various parts of the globe, though he also stated that the US was not abandoning its NATO allies. "The time has come that the Europeans take over more and more step by step," the German defence minister said, according to Sky News. The US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, was notably absent from a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels, which some allies described as missing a key opportunity.
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