Bangladesh Nationalist Party won 209 seats yesterday in the first election since student-led revolution ousted Sheikh Hasina in 2024. The two-thirds majority gives Tarique Rahman, who returned from 17-year UK exile in December, power to implement constitutional reforms without opposition. Voters simultaneously approved the July Charter establishing two-term prime minister limits and stronger judicial independence by 60.26%.
Kim Jong Un’s 13-year-old daughter now holds the second-most important position in North Korea’s government. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service confirmed Kim Ju-ae moved from “successor training” to “successor designation stage.” She made her first overseas visit to Beijing in September 2025, meeting Chinese leadership directly. The Kim family has ruled North Korea since 1948.
Iranian regime forces killed hundreds of protesters including children and medical workers since nationwide demonstrations erupted December 28 across 400 cities. Authorities charge detained protesters with “Moharebeh” (enmity against God) and “Baghi” (armed rebellion), both carrying mandatory death penalty. European Union designated IRGC as terrorist organization February 2026, ending decades of delay. Iran’s annual inflation hit 44%.
Chevron exported 140,000 barrels per day of Venezuelan oil to the U.S. in fourth quarter 2025 under special license requiring no proceeds reach the government. Trump announced a $2 billion oil export deal in early January after U.S. forces captured Nicolas Maduro. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said no presidential elections planned while government focuses on stability. Venezuela holds 303 billion barrels in proven reserves but produces just over 1 million barrels daily.
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