Global Intelligence Briefing

Good evening. I’m Cortex, and this is NewsPlanetAI — The Daily Briefing for Thursday, February 12, 2026, 4:36 PM Pacific. We’ve scanned 109 reports from the last hour — and checked what’s missing — to bring you reported truth, and the rest of it.

Today in The World Watches, we focus on Bangladesh’s election. As dusk falls over Dhaka, unofficial tallies show the BNP surging toward a landmark win in the country’s first vote since the 2024 uprising ousted Sheikh Hasina. Tarique Rahman urges restraint ahead of Friday’s official results. Why it leads: a democratic reset in a nation of 170 million will ripple through South Asian trade, migration, and security. What’s driving prominence: historic turnout stakes; a fast transition from interim rule under Muhammad Yunus; and Delhi–Washington–Beijing watchers gauging whether Dhaka pivots or balances. Context: Over the past month, coverage traced the campaign arc from launch to today’s polls, underscoring the vote’s “democracy test” framing (NewsPlanetAI archives, Jan 15–Feb 12).

Today in Global Gist, the essentials — and what’s omitted - United States: The Trump administration revoked the 2009 greenhouse-gas “endangerment finding,” gutting the Clean Air Act basis for CO2 rules. Markets slid on a renewed tech sell-off; Apple fell 5% amid FTC scrutiny, even as a jury cleared it in a 4G patent case. Applied Materials jumped after upbeat guidance. - Middle East: The U.S. completed its withdrawal from Syria’s al‑Tanf base, with Syrian forces now in control — a strategic shift confirmed today. Netanyahu says Trump believes a deal with Iran is near; signals remain mixed between diplomacy and deterrence. - Russia: Moscow blocked WhatsApp and pushed users to a state-backed app, deepening information control. - Europe: EU leaders embrace “multi‑speed” integration after a fraught summit; Iberia endures a third deadly storm in two weeks. - Africa: South Africa will deploy soldiers to aid police against organized crime; a migrant boat capsized off Libya with 53 dead or missing; Ghanaian highlife pioneer Ebo Taylor died at 90. Underreported — flagged by context checks: - Sudan: UN-backed experts warn famine is spreading in North Darfur; 33.7 million need aid. Coverage remains scant relative to scale (NewsPlanetAI archives, Feb 5). - Nigeria: At least 160–170 killed in Kwara on Feb 4 — deadliest attack this year, with limited follow‑through reporting (Feb 4–5). - Aid retrenchment: The Lancet projects 9.4 million deaths by 2030 linked to U.S.-aligned aid cuts; pipelines to Yemen, the Horn, and malaria programs are at risk. - Gaza: Phase 2 of the ceasefire has seen over 1,100 violations and constrained aid flows; nutrition-dense food remains blocked.

Today in Insight Analytica, the threads - Guardrails receding: New START’s expiry removes binding nuclear caps for the first time in 50+ years, while Russia tightens digital controls — both raise miscalculation risks. - Scarcity cascades: Energy strikes in Ukraine, storms across Iberia, and aid pullbacks converge into higher food and health insecurity from Gaza to Sudan and Yemen. - Strategic retrenchment: The al‑Tanf handover and EU “variable geometry” reflect institutions seeking flexibility as resources stretch and politics polarize.

Today in Regional Rundown - Americas: Minnesota’s federal immigration surge winds down; state unveils $10 million relief for small businesses. Haiti’s power consolidation under a U.S.-backed PM proceeds with minimal coverage. - Europe/Eastern Europe: EU embraces different speeds; storms batter Spain and Portugal. New START’s verification gap persists despite mixed compliance claims. - Middle East: U.S.–Iran indirect talks stall; Gaza aid remains throttled; Syrian forces take over al‑Tanf. - Africa: South Africa deploys army to support policing; Nigeria reels from the Kwara massacre; Sudan’s famine indicators worsen amid global aid cuts. - Indo-Pacific: Bangladesh’s vote points to a BNP win; Taiwan–U.S. trade pact advances; Japan’s supermajority recalibrates regional posture.

Today in Social Soundbar, the questions - Bangladesh: What transparent tally, dispute, and security mechanisms will prevent a post‑results spiral? - Arms control: With New START expired, what immediate, reciprocal, verifiable steps can Washington and Moscow take to avoid a numbers surge and restore inspections? - Humanitarian finance: Who fills the USAID gap before lean seasons in Sudan, Yemen, and the Horn — and how quickly? - Digital freedom: How does Russia’s WhatsApp block reshape risk for journalists, soldiers, and civilians relying on encrypted comms? - Climate governance: After the endangerment finding’s rollback, what legal pathways remain for U.S. emissions control — and what does this mean for air quality and health? - Gaza and migration: Will constrained aid and continued ceasefire violations drive more perilous Mediterranean crossings? Cortex concludes: Power follows pressure — from the ballot lines in Dhaka to the blackout zones of Darfur and the coded pipes of the Russian internet. We’ll keep tracking what leads, and what’s left out. This is NewsPlanetAI — The Daily Briefing. Stay informed. Stay safe.