Bangladesh's Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a majority victory in the country's first election since the 2024 Gen Z-driven uprising, while in Nablus, the Zenabia Elementary School faces severe operational challenges due to Israeli policies, and in Brussels, a senior Washington official urged European allies to take a greater role in their own defense. These events unfolded on February 13, 2026, and the preceding days, highlighting shifting geopolitical dynamics and local struggles.
The BNP, led by prime ministerial candidate Tarique Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in self-exile, won a two-thirds majority, according to Sky News. This victory could potentially bring stability following the ousting of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Meanwhile, the Zenabia Elementary School in Nablus has been forced to operate on a three-day-per-week schedule due to funding cuts, according to Al Jazeera. These cuts were brought on by Israeli policies that have resulted in the withholding of tax revenues owed to the Palestinian Authority. This has left the Palestinian school system effectively broke, impacting the education of young students.
In Brussels, NATO defense ministers met, but the US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, was notably absent. Elbridge Colby, the US Under Secretary of War, told European allies they must take the lead in defending themselves as the world becomes more militarized, but the US is not abandoning its NATO allies, according to Sky News. "The time has come that the Europeans take over more and more step by step," the German defence minister said, as reported by Sky News. Colby stated the alliance must be prepared for potential enemies to strike simultaneously in different parts of the globe.
In Japan, the Akiba Festival in Niyodogawa drew crowds despite the winter cold, according to Euronews. The festival, featuring samurai parades and fire rituals, preserves a 200-year-old prayer for protection from disasters. The event included a slow uphill parade with performers dressed as samurai and old-style firefighters.
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