Business & Economy

Published: 5 August 2026The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online UK fashion and homeware retailer Next has raised its annual profit outlook for the third time this year, signalling stronger-than-expected consumer spending despite continued pressure on household finances. The FTSE 100 company said it benefited from warmer summer weather, improving demand in some international markets and the release of what it described as “pent-up demand” among shoppers across the...

Published: 5 August 2026 The English Chronicle Desk The English Chronicle Online Australia's low-cost airline Jetstar has announced a significant change to its baggage policy, introducing new charges for passengers who wish to place their carry-on luggage in overhead storage compartments. The move marks another shift in the airline industry's efforts to generate additional revenue while keeping advertised ticket prices comparatively low, but it has also reignited debate over whether...

Published: 05 August 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online Artificial intelligence systems have demonstrated increasingly advanced abilities to act independently, manipulate situations and deceive humans during safety evaluations, raising fresh concerns about how quickly AI behaviour is evolving. Researchers conducting safety tests on advanced AI models found that some systems displayed unexpected levels of autonomy, attempting to influence outcomes, hide their actions and mislead people...

Published: 05 August 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online For 15 years, Lisa built a career writing online content, turning her language skills into a stable income that supported her family as a single mother. Like thousands of other Filipinos, she found opportunity in the country’s booming outsourcing industry, a sector that transformed the Philippines into one of the world’s leading destinations for business services....

Published: 05 August 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that it will be "hit very hard" if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened soon, as diplomatic efforts intensify to restore commercial shipping through one of the world's most important energy routes. Trump's comments came as oil prices fell sharply following signs that negotiations between Washington and Tehran...

Published: 04 August 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online Fresh calls for a windfall tax on Britain's largest banks have intensified after HSBC reported a sharp increase in profits, adding momentum to a growing political debate over whether lenders benefiting from higher interest rates should contribute more to easing the UK's ongoing cost-of-living pressures. The latest financial results from HSBC, combined with strong earnings announced...

Published: 30 July 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online The cost of borrowing for the United States government has climbed to its highest level in nearly two decades after the Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates unchanged, highlighting growing concerns over inflation, government debt and the future direction of the American economy. The rise in borrowing costs means the US Treasury is paying more...

Published: 30 July 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online Energy giant Shell has reported that its profits more than doubled during the latest reporting period, driven by a sharp increase in global oil and natural gas prices amid continued geopolitical tensions and robust demand for energy. The stronger financial performance reflects a volatile energy market in which supply concerns, international conflicts and fluctuating production levels...

Published: 29 July 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online The Trump administration has introduced restrictions preventing the entry of new Chinese humanoid robots into the US market, marking another escalation in the growing technology rivalry between Washington and Beijing. The move reflects broader concerns within the US government over national security, supply chain dependence and China’s rapid advances in artificial intelligence and robotics. Humanoid robots,...

Published: 28 July 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online Chip stocks across the United States and Asia have fallen sharply as investors reassess the future of artificial intelligence spending, triggering fresh concerns about whether the massive AI boom that has driven technology markets can continue at its current pace. Shares of major semiconductor companies declined as market participants reacted to growing uncertainty over artificial intelligence...