Business & Economy

Published: 14 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Thames Water has revised plans for a major reservoir in Oxfordshire as the struggling water company attempts to move forward with one of the largest water infrastructure projects ever proposed in the south-east of England, despite strong opposition from local councils, residents and campaigners. The White Horse reservoir, planned near Abingdon, is designed to hold around 150 billion...

Published: 14 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Oil prices moved higher on Monday after a series of drone attacks forced Saudi Arabia to shut its strategically important East-West crude pipeline, intensifying concerns over the security of global energy supplies at a time when oil and gas markets are already facing significant disruption across the Middle East. Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, rose...

Published: 14 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. US President Donald Trump’s ambitious programme of construction and renovation in Washington DC is facing growing criticism from architects, preservationists and other observers, who argue that a series of large-scale projects could permanently alter the character of the American capital. The projects include a major ballroom at the White House, a proposed triumphal arch, extensive changes to historic...

Published: 14 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Leading artificial intelligence executives in the United States have unexpectedly united behind calls to slow the pace of advanced AI development, raising fresh questions about whether the industry is genuinely prepared to accept stronger safety measures or whether the latest warnings are another attempt to shape regulation on its own terms. The debate intensified after Anthropic chief executive...

Published: 12 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape employment opportunities for university graduates in the United Kingdom, with new data suggesting that students who study computer science and economics may be facing changes in the labour market that were difficult to anticipate only a few years ago. A detailed analysis of graduate employment data indicates that software development and coding...

Published: 12 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Saudi Arabia has temporarily halted operations on a strategically important oil pipeline after authorities said several drones launched from Iraqi territory targeted the facility, causing injuries and damage. The incident has added fresh pressure to an already fragile regional energy and security situation, with Saudi Arabia increasingly relying on the pipeline to transport crude oil while the Strait...

Published: 11 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online Sainsbury’s shoppers are being encouraged to keep an eye on the chilled drinks aisle after two new Starbucks flavours sparked excitement among fans online. Starbucks has expanded its ready-to-drink range with Matcha Latte and Strawberry Matcha Latte, giving shoppers an alternative to the brand’s familiar chilled coffee products. The drinks have already been spotted in supermarkets including Sainsbury’s,...

Published: 11 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online Lidl is preparing to put a new range of budget-friendly fitness products on sale across the UK, including a pair of £12.99 trainers that could attract shoppers looking for the appearance of a more expensive designer-style running shoe without the corresponding price tag. The CRIVIT Ladies’ Trainers are due to arrive in Lidl stores on Sunday, September 20,...

Published: 11 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online A Singaporean businessman who sought to recover almost half a million Singapore dollars from his former girlfriend after their relationship ended has lost his case, with the High Court ruling that the money was given as gifts rather than loans. Senior Judge Lee Seiu Kin dismissed Chander Agarwal’s claim for S$468,090, finding that the evidence showed a man...

Published: 10 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. John Lewis Partnership, the retail group behind John Lewis department stores and Waitrose supermarkets, has reported a significant widening of its first-half losses as higher operating costs and weaker consumer confidence continue to put pressure on the business. The group recorded a pre-tax loss of £124m for the six months to 1 August, compared with a loss of...