US News

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...

As fears of a direct military confrontation between the United States and Iran persist, US and Iran talks to begin as fears of direct conflict continue, officials confirmed on Friday, with high-stakes negotiations scheduled in Oman aimed at easing tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme and regional behaviour. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived in the Omani capital of Muscat on Friday, leading Tehran’s delegation ahead of the talks with senior...

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...

‘We are ready to talk’: US news anchor Savannah Guthrie pleads for return of her abducted mother, in an emotional appeal broadcast live, as authorities continue their urgent search and investigation into the shocking disappearance. The 51-year-old journalist, widely known for her role on NBC’s Today Show, broke down on-air while urging those responsible to come forward and ensure her mother’s safe return. The incident has captured national attention, highlighting...

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...

Published: 05 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. California’s new congressional map has cleared a major legal hurdle, allowing Democrats to maintain strategic advantage. The Supreme Court ruled the California map can be implemented this November, rejecting a last-minute challenge from California Republicans. Focused on redistricting politics, the decision underscores the continuing struggle between partisan interests and voter initiatives in American democracy. Proposition 50, which voters...

Starmer to release Mandelson files has emerged as a significant political moment in Westminster, as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed plans to make public a tranche of long-sealed government documents linked to former Labour powerbroker Lord Peter Mandelson. The move, framed by Downing Street as part of a broader commitment to transparency, has immediately reignited debate about Labour’s New Labour era, political influence, and the balance between openness and...

Published: 04 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online After months of sharp rhetoric and public insults, US President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro struck a notably conciliatory tone following a high-profile meeting at the White House, signalling a potential thaw in relations between Washington and Bogotá. The closed-door bilateral talks, which lasted around two hours, covered a wide range of sensitive regional issues, including...

Published: 04 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online Melinda French Gates has spoken publicly about the renewed scrutiny surrounding her former husband, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, after his name appeared in recently released court documents linked to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In rare and deeply personal comments, the billionaire philanthropist said the revelations had reopened “painful times” from the final years...