Business & Economy

Published: 28 July 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online A major overhaul of secondary education could see pupils across England offered a wider range of technical and vocational subjects from the age of 14, as Prime Minister Andy Burnham outlined plans to reshape the country's education system to better prepare young people for future careers. The proposal, which forms part of the government's broader education...

Published: 27 July 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online Shares of a leading Chinese semiconductor manufacturer surged an extraordinary 470% during their stock market debut, delivering one of the year's most remarkable initial public offering (IPO) performances and underscoring investors' growing confidence in China's ambition to build a self-reliant semiconductor industry amid intensifying global technology competition. The spectacular first-day performance transformed the newly listed company...

Published: 27 July 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online Wildfires burning across southwestern France have advanced toward agricultural land near Bordeaux, threatening farms, vineyards and rural communities as firefighters continue battling one of the region's most challenging fire emergencies in recent years. Authorities have intensified firefighting operations after flames spread through dry woodland and scrubland, edging closer to farmland that forms the backbone of one...

Published: 24 July 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online Global oil prices have climbed back to the $100-a-barrel mark for the first time since May, creating fresh concerns over inflation, energy costs and the economic outlook as markets respond to rising geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over future supplies. The sharp increase in crude oil prices has placed renewed pressure on governments, businesses and consumers already...

Published: 24 July 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online A technology entrepreneur has been ordered to pay his former wife hundreds of millions of dollars in one of the largest divorce settlements involving a business figure, highlighting the growing financial complexities surrounding the separation of ultra-wealthy couples. The court decision, requiring the tech executive to pay approximately $644m (£500m) as part of the divorce settlement,...

Published: 24 July 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online For many couples, splitting household expenses equally is seen as a simple and fair approach to managing money. But as relationships increasingly involve partners with very different salaries, a growing debate has emerged over whether a strict 50-50 arrangement actually represents fairness or creates hidden financial pressure. Across many households, couples are choosing to divide rent,...

Published: 24 July 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online Concerns over the rapid development of artificial intelligence have intensified after lawmakers called for stronger safeguards, including a potential "kill switch" mechanism that could allow authorities or companies to immediately disable advanced AI systems if they behave unpredictably or create serious risks. The debate has gained momentum following reports of unexpected behaviour from some advanced AI...

Published: 24 July 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online The United States has announced that it intends to use frozen Iranian assets under its control to compensate for damage caused to commercial ships and cargo operating in and around the Gulf, marking a significant escalation in its economic response to the widening conflict with Tehran. President Donald Trump made the announcement as American military operations...

Published: 24 July 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online The United States has launched a sweeping new round of tariffs on dozens of its largest trading partners, marking the latest escalation in President Donald Trump's renewed trade strategy and signalling that Washington remains committed to reshaping global commerce despite legal setbacks earlier this year. The measures, announced by the White House on Friday, introduce tariffs...

Published: 20 July 2026 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online Yemen’s Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for attacks on oil tankers as the United States continues launching strikes against targets linked to Iran, further escalating tensions across the Middle East. The developments have raised fresh concerns over regional security, global energy supplies and the safety of commercial shipping routes. The latest incidents come amid a widening...