Business & Economy

Published: 9 June 2026 The English Chronicle Desk The English Chronicle Online The United States has added Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD to a government list of firms alleged to have connections to China’s military sector, escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing over technology and national security. US officials said the designation reflects concerns about potential links between major Chinese companies and the country’s defence-industrial system, though the move does...

Published: 8 June 2026 The English Chronicle Desk The English Chronicle Online A new analysis has found that a majority of planned artificial intelligence data centre developments in the United States are being built in regions already facing significant drought stress, raising concerns over long-term water security and environmental sustainability. The report highlights that rapid expansion of AI infrastructure is concentrating in areas where water resources are under pressure, particularly...

Published: 8 June 2026 The English Chronicle Desk The English Chronicle Online Education and skills body City & Guilds is facing the threat of legal challenge and potential industrial action after announcing plans to cut hundreds of jobs as part of a major restructuring programme. The organisation, which provides vocational qualifications and training frameworks across the UK and internationally, said the proposed changes are intended to streamline operations and ensure...

Published: 8 June 2026 The English Chronicle Desk The English Chronicle Online Former UK deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has said that parts of Silicon Valley, including major technology firms such as Meta, have undergone a noticeable political shift towards more conservative and “Maga-aligned” positions in recent years. Clegg, who previously held a senior leadership role at Meta, argued that the culture of the US technology sector is no longer...

Published: 8 June 2026 The English Chronicle Desk The English Chronicle Online Recruitment firms say an increasing number of UK companies are prioritising temporary and contract workers over permanent staff, reflecting ongoing caution in the labour market amid economic uncertainty and rising employment costs. Industry data suggests businesses are using short-term hiring models to maintain flexibility while avoiding long-term payroll commitments in a period of fluctuating demand. Recruiters report stronger...

Published: 8 June 2026 The English Chronicle Desk The English Chronicle Online An additional £174 million has been earmarked to cover rising costs on the planned Lower Thames Crossing, as concerns grow over the “spiralling” budget of one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects. The funding increase reflects continued pressure from inflation, construction costs and complex engineering requirements linked to the major road and tunnel development beneath the River Thames....

Published: 8 June 2026 The English Chronicle Desk The English Chronicle Online Trade unions have criticised a reported year-long delay in connecting a major electric furnace project to the electricity grid in South Wales, warning that the setback could undermine industrial transition plans and threaten jobs. The dispute centres on infrastructure work linked to a new low-carbon steelmaking facility being developed by Tata Steel, which is intended to modernise production...

Published: 8 June 2026 The English Chronicle Desk The English Chronicle Online Public protests have erupted in Albania over a high-profile development project linked to businessman Jared Kushner, raising tensions between local communities, government authorities and international investors. Demonstrations have taken place in several locations, with protesters expressing concern over land use, environmental impact and the influence of foreign-backed investment in sensitive coastal and urban areas. The project, which has...

Published: 8 June 2026 The English Chronicle Desk The English Chronicle Online Residents across Cuba say they are living under extreme strain as prolonged and repeated power outages disrupt daily life, with many describing conditions of “no electricity, no gas, no sleep” amid worsening energy shortages. Households report frequent blackouts affecting lighting, refrigeration, water supply systems and basic communication, leaving communities increasingly isolated and vulnerable. In some areas, outages are...

Published: 8 June 2026 The English Chronicle Desk The English Chronicle Online A conservation campaigner is working to persuade coastal fishing communities to farm giant snails instead of targeting endangered guitarfish, in an effort to reduce pressure on vulnerable marine populations. The initiative focuses on creating alternative sources of income for fishers whose livelihoods have traditionally depended on species increasingly threatened by overfishing and habitat decline. Guitarfish, a group of...