World News

Published: 09 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Israel’s president Isaac Herzog began his four-day tour of Australia amid grief, security, and political tension, as the Herzog visit drew both solemn ceremonies and large public demonstrations. The Herzog visit opened in Sydney, where the president met survivors and families affected by the Bondi terror attack and attended a memorial event near the shoreline. The trip quickly...

Senior figures from the UK’s **universities, parliament and political parties have been briefed on a growing spy threat posed by China and Russia, in a move aimed at strengthening national security and protecting critical research from foreign interference. The classified sessions — held by intelligence officials and security advisers — were designed to raise awareness of espionage risks, particularly in sensitive sectors such as defence, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and...

In a development that has jolted legal and community circles in New Zealand, the Christchurch shooter is seeking to overturn his guilty plea and challenge the unprecedented life sentence he received for the deadliest mass shooting in the country’s history. Brenton Tarrant — the Australian white supremacist who killed 51 Muslim worshippers and wounded dozens more at two Christchurch mosques in 2019 — has appeared via video link before the...

Venezuela’s opposition has sounded the alarm after party leader Juan Pablo Guanipa was reportedly kidnapped just hours after being freed from prison, raising deep concerns about political repression and the safety of dissidents in the oil-rich nation. The dramatic incident — denounced by opposition figures and families — comes amid an ongoing, contentious transition in Venezuelan politics that has seen the release of political prisoners followed by sharp criticism of...

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. Storm Leonardo has unleashed severe disruption across Portugal and Spain, prompting urgent safety measures and political debate. The powerful weather system has brought relentless rain, damaging floods, and dangerous winds across the Iberian region. Authorities confirmed casualties, widespread evacuations, and growing infrastructure strain as emergency teams worked through the night. The impact of Storm Leonardo has also sparked...

Published: 06 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Storm Leonardo continues to cause severe disruption across parts of Europe and northern Africa, as emergency teams struggle with flooding, damage, and mass evacuations. The powerful weather system has moved slowly across the region, increasing rainfall totals and intensifying risks for vulnerable communities. Authorities in several countries have issued top-level alerts, while rescue operations remain active in multiple...

Published: 06 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Russian General Vladimir Alekseyev is in critical condition following the Alekseyev shooting in Moscow late Friday evening. Alekseyev, a deputy director of Russia’s military intelligence, was attacked in the stairwell of his apartment by an unidentified gunman. Early reports confirm he sustained multiple gunshot wounds, leaving him hospitalised under critical care. The Alekseyev shooting comes amid heightened tensions,...

In a dramatic and high‑stakes moment in global diplomacy, the US and Iran are holding nuclear talks in Oman amid escalating military threats from President Donald Trump, an effort aimed at defusing one of the world’s most dangerous standoffs — but one overshadowed by a backdrop of threats, naval buildups and deep mutual mistrust. Senior delegations from Washington and Tehran have convened in Muscat under the mediation of Oman in...