International

In a landmark and controversial ruling that has drawn global attention, a Hong Kong court has sentenced pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison after finding him guilty of national security offences including conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious materials. The verdict — one of the harshest since China’s national security law was imposed on the city — underscores the intensifying crackdown on dissent...

As Bangladesh heads into a pivotal national election, questions are intensifying over whether the country’s youth are increasingly turning against India, a trend analysts say is linked less to cultural antipathy and more to political disillusionment, nationalist narratives and long-standing grievances over bilateral issues. While sweeping claims of a youth “anti-India” movement are overstated, there is clear evidence of growing scepticism and criticism among segments of young Bangladeshis, particularly on...

Published: 06 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Oman has emerged as a key mediator in high-stakes US-Iran nuclear negotiations, aiming to prevent escalating conflict in the region. The focus keyword, Iran nuclear talks, underscores the urgency of these discussions, as the first official exchange since June aims to address Tehran’s contentious nuclear programme directly. Convoys representing both nations arrived separately to meet Oman’s top diplomat,...

Published: 06 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. A recent poll reveals western Europeans increasingly oppose the US following the Greenland dispute, highlighting the growing importance of European autonomy. Citizens in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Great Britain now prioritise their continent’s independence over traditional transatlantic ties. The survey indicates that perceptions of the US have dropped to their lowest levels since YouGov began tracking...

Published: 06 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. In a stunning development that has reverberated through UK and international media, newly released Department of Justice emails reveal that Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor Epstein emails show the former royal actively vouched for convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a UK state visit to the United Arab Emirates in 2010. The latest disclosures have reignited debate over the depth of...

Published: 06 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The Chagos Islands deal has prompted renewed attention after Donald Trump softened his criticism following a call with Keir Starmer. The US president had previously described the UK’s plan to cede sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory, including the strategic Diego Garcia base, as an “act of great stupidity.” This strong critique raised international concerns about national...

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has officially endorsed Japan’s Takaichi ahead of snap election, throwing Washington’s political influence into the intense and closely watched electoral contest in Tokyo. The endorsement, delivered via social media and amplified by Trump’s allies, marks a rare intervention by a former U.S. leader in Japanese domestic politics — and it has stirred debate both in Japan and internationally over foreign influence, alliances and the future...

The US military says two killed in strike on alleged drug boat after a targeted operation in the eastern Pacific, authorities confirmed on Friday, marking the continuation of a controversial campaign against suspected narco-trafficking vessels authorised by the current administration. The strike is the latest in a series of military actions in international waters that have drawn both support and criticism at home and abroad. According to the United States...

Fears of new arms race as US-Russia nuclear weapons treaty expires have intensified global security concerns, with experts warning of a potentially destabilising escalation in strategic weapons development. The landmark agreement, which had limited the deployment of intermediate-range and strategic nuclear missiles, officially lapsed on Friday, leaving few constraints on the two nuclear superpowers. The expiration of the treaty, widely considered a cornerstone of post-Cold War arms control, has reignited...

US must be prudent when supplying arms to Taiwan, Xi tells Trump, as tensions between Washington and Beijing resurface amid renewed diplomatic contact between the two leaders and growing concern over stability in the Taiwan Strait. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered the message during a direct exchange with former US President Donald Trump, according to sources familiar with the discussion, stressing that continued American arms sales to Taiwan risk undermining...