Business & Economy

Published: 25 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. HSBC has indicated that its extensive bank overhaul is approaching completion despite falling annual HSBC profit figures. The chief executive, Georges Elhedery, who assumed leadership in 2024, described the lender as “becoming a simple, more agile, focused bank built for a fast-changing world,” highlighting strategic clarity after months of restructuring. Investors were watching closely as HSBC posted pre-tax...

Published: 25 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. For decades, the “snowball Earth” theory suggested that around 700 million years ago, Earth became entirely frozen. Scientists believed the planet was locked in a global ice shell, leaving no room for seasonal variation or the usual climate fluctuations that drive life. Spring, summer, autumn, and winter were thought to have vanished entirely, replaced by an unchanging icy...

Published: 25 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Spring has arrived early in the UK housing market, bringing renewed confidence among prospective buyers. Zoopla’s latest report shows a remarkable surge in the number of homes being listed for sale compared to the same period last year. Analysts say this reflects a wider trend of buyers and sellers responding to more favourable mortgage conditions and improving market...

Published: 25 February 2026 . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online Former US President Donald Trump has repeatedly turned to tariffs as a core tool of his trade policy, aiming to reshape America’s economic relationships with key trading partners. Tariffs — taxes levied on imported goods — have figured prominently in his approach both during his 2017–2021 presidency and in his renewed political rhetoric since announcing a bid...

Published: 25 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Political donations in cryptocurrency should face an urgent temporary ban to prevent foreign interference. The focus on crypto in political finance has intensified following global security concerns and the increasing use of digital currencies in campaigns. Matt Western, chair of the national security committee, stressed that a moratorium is necessary until robust safeguards are in place to verify...

Published: 25 February 2026 . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online The mysterious founder of global fast‑fashion giant Shein made a rare public appearance this week, using the moment to reaffirm the company’s ties to China and to praise local government support that many analysts see as key to its rise. Xu Yangtian — also known as Chris Xu — has long kept a low profile, with few...

Published: 25 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. UK youth unemployment has climbed sharply, raising serious concerns across Westminster and the City. Fresh warnings from the Bank of England suggest recent tax and wage reforms are worsening the situation. The Bank’s chief economist, Huw Pill, told MPs that the combined rise in employers’ national insurance and minimum wages has hit young workers hardest. His remarks have...

Published: 24 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online A man in Peterborough, England was astonished to find a collection of trading cards worth an estimated £18,000 stored away in his loft, a local dealer has said, highlighting the growing popularity and value of collectible cards such as Pokémon among enthusiasts across the UK. Juliano Scibelli, owner of Collectors Corner in Peterborough’s Orton Southgate, said that demand...

Published: 24 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online US President Donald Trump has implemented a new global import tariff at a rate of 10%, after the Supreme Court blocked many of his sweeping import taxes last week. Hours after the court’s ruling, Trump signed an executive order to impose the levy, which came into effect on 24 February, aiming to address what he described as “fundamental...

Published: 24 February 2026 The English Chronicle Desk The English Chronicle Online Global trade experienced fresh turmoil this week as U.S. President Donald Trump’s scramble to salvage his embattled tariff policy sparked widespread economic confusion and diplomatic strain. The upheaval follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down much of Trump’s sweeping global tariffs imposed under emergency powers, a decision that authorities and businesses around the world say has...