Business & Economy

Published: March 17, 2026 The English Chronicle Desk The English Chronicle Online The government of Sri Lanka has announced that Wednesdays will be designated as a non-working day for parts of the public sector as authorities intensify measures to conserve fuel amid ongoing energy supply constraints. The decision forms part of a broader national strategy aimed at reducing fuel consumption, easing pressure on foreign exchange reserves, and stabilising energy distribution...

Published: March 17, 2026 The English Chronicle Desk The English Chronicle Online Millions of residents across Cuba have been left without electricity following a major collapse of the national power grid, deepening concerns about the country’s ageing infrastructure and ongoing energy crisis. Authorities confirmed that widespread outages affected multiple provinces after the system experienced a significant failure. The blackout disrupted homes, businesses, hospitals, and essential public services, with reports indicating...

Published: March 17, 2026 The English Chronicle Desk The English Chronicle Online Close Brothers Group has announced plans to cut approximately 600 jobs as part of a wider cost-reduction programme aimed at delivering £85 million in savings, marking one of the most significant restructuring moves by the UK banking group in recent years. The decision forms part of a strategic review designed to streamline operations, reduce expenses, and strengthen financial...

Published: 17 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The controversial RBA rate hike has ignited intense debate as global tensions continue rising sharply. The decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia to increase borrowing costs comes at a fragile moment for the world economy. With a deepening conflict involving the Israel, the Iran, and the United States, economists fear the timing may prove deeply problematic. At...

Published: March 17, 2026 The English Chronicle Desk The English Chronicle Online A disabled girl has spoken out after a distressing experience at a high street retailer left her feeling “like an alien,” sparking wider debate about inclusivity, accessibility, and the responsibilities of major brands toward customers with specific needs. The incident centres on a visit to a branch of JD Sports, where the girl and her family had gone...

Published: March 17, 2026 The English Chronicle Desk The English Chronicle Online Glasgow Central Station is set to partially reopen on Wednesday following days of disruption caused by a major fire that tore through a historic building on Union Street, adjacent to Scotland’s busiest railway hub. The phased reopening marks a cautious return to normal operations after extensive safety concerns forced the closure of significant parts of the station. The...

Published: 16 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has delivered a firm message regarding the UK's military stance. He stated that the nation will not be drawn into the wider war now. This commitment comes as the government prepares to offer financial aid to struggling British households. Families relying on heating oil will soon receive a share of fifty-three million pounds. This...

Published: 16 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The landscape of European finance is currently witnessing a historic and high-stakes drama as two titans clash. Italy’s second-largest lender UniCredit has significantly intensified its long-standing pursuit of the German banking giant Commerzbank today. This massive banking takeover attempt has now reached a critical boiling point within the continental markets. The Milan-based institution recently increased its stake to...

Published: 16 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The future of Britain's largest water supplier has taken a significant turn this week with a massive proposal. Lenders have stepped forward with a substantial ten billion pound rescue plan designed to save the struggling utility giant. This ambitious strategy aims to address the deep financial crisis that has plagued the company for several years. The core of...

Published: 14 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online As tensions and military confrontations escalate across the Gulf region, a growing number of wealthy British nationals who had been living in Middle Eastern financial hubs are leaving the area in search of temporary safety. Yet many of these high-net-worth individuals are carefully avoiding a return to Britain itself, choosing instead to relocate temporarily to European countries such...