Politics

Published: 14 January 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives in China this week on a visit laden with promise, risk and global scrutiny, as Ottawa attempts to recalibrate one of its most complex foreign relationships at a time of deep economic and geopolitical uncertainty. The trip, the first by a Canadian prime minister to China since 2017, is being...

Published: 14 January 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online Greenlanders are bracing themselves for a summit in Washington that many here believe could define not only the future of the Arctic, but also the destiny of their own vast, icebound homeland. On Wednesday, the United States Vice President, JD Vance, will host a high-stakes meeting at the White House with Denmark’s foreign minister, Greenland’s foreign...

Published: 13 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The Le Pen appeal over her embezzlement conviction begins this week, drawing international attention. The French far-right leader faces scrutiny for allegedly diverting European parliament funds, a case that could prevent her from contesting the 2027 presidential election. Le Pen, 57, heads the National Rally and has consistently denied wrongdoing, insisting she remains committed to leading France despite...

Published: 13 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Australia’s intelligence chief will be empowered to recommend organisations be proscribed as hate groups, under new legislation introduced by the Labor government. The focus of this reform is on extending protections against religious vilification, granting the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) director general the authority to advise the home affairs minister on listing specific organisations as prohibited. This...

Published: 13 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Australia faces a crucial decision as Kevin Rudd prepares to leave his role as ambassador in Washington early. The search for a Rudd successor has ignited speculation, with names ranging from former Labor ministers to senior public servants and career diplomats. Rudd, who earned praise for stabilising Australia-US relations, announced his early departure to return to the Asia...

Published: 13 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. In a move drawing political attention, One Nation MPs Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce used Gina Rinehart’s private jet to visit flood-affected Queensland communities, highlighting the practical use of private resources by elected officials. The visit, conducted over the weekend, aimed to support towns still recovering from ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji, with Joyce noting that using the Rinehart jet...

Published: 13 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Peter Mandelson has issued a Mandelson apology for his past association with Jeffrey Epstein, acknowledging his mistake after intense scrutiny. The Labour peer, who was removed from his US ambassador role when his support for Epstein became public, addressed his connection during a BBC interview. Mandelson said he had been unaware of Epstein’s crimes initially, claiming ignorance and...

Published: 13 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Labour leader Keir Starmer has argued that his foreign trips are essential for addressing the cost of living. He told MPs that engaging directly in international negotiations would improve trade and security, which in turn would benefit the domestic economy. Starmer emphasized that global engagement, rather than isolation, was crucial for Britain’s economic stability. While many MPs prefer...

Published: 13 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The government’s proposed jury trial reform in England and Wales is facing renewed uncertainty as senior ministers quietly consider concessions following intense political and legal opposition. The plans, first unveiled as a solution to the growing criminal courts backlog, have sparked widespread concern across Parliament and the legal profession, prompting discussions behind closed doors about whether the proposals...

Washington — January 2026 US Senator Mark Kelly sues Pentagon chief Hegseth over demotion threats, escalating an extraordinary legal and political confrontation between a sitting US senator and the Department of Defense leadership. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleges that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth threatened retaliatory action against Kelly’s military status in response to the senator’s outspoken criticism of Pentagon policies and executive decisions. Kelly, a former Navy combat...