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International News Roundup: Ukraine Under Attack, Political Developments in Venezuela, Bangladesh, and North Korea, and NATO's Future
On Thursday, February 13, 2026, Russia launched a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities, causing injuries, deaths, and damage, according to Al Jazeera. Simultaneously, political developments unfolded across the globe, including protests in Venezuela, a claimed election victory in Bangladesh, and reports of a leadership transition in North Korea. Additionally, discussions about the future of NATO were underway.
In Ukraine, the overnight attacks involved 219 drones and 24 ballistic missiles, as reported by Al Jazeera. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that Moscow was hesitant about further United States-brokered talks to end the war. This followed reports of a Ukrainian skeleton athlete being disqualified from the Winter Olympics.
In Venezuela, dueling demonstrations took place in Caracas as the National Assembly considered a bill granting amnesty to political prisoners, as reported by Al Jazeera. The protests coincided with National Youth Day and marked the first major opposition showing against the government led by interim President Delcy Rodriguez.
Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) claimed victory in the country's first election since the 2024 uprising, according to Sky News. The BNP's media unit announced on social media that it had secured enough parliamentary seats to govern independently. However, official results from the Election Commission were yet to be confirmed, although several local media outlets also reported the party's win. The BNP is headed by Tarique Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in self-imposed exile.
North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, is reportedly preparing to name his teenage daughter as his successor, according to Sky News, citing intelligence reports. The announcement could come at a party congress later this month. Experts suggest the girl, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae, could be appointed first secretary of the ruling party.
Finally, discussions about NATO's future were also prominent. The German defense minister emphasized the need for Europeans to take on a more significant role within the alliance, according to Sky News. The US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, was notably absent from a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, which one ally described as "missing a good party."
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