Business & Economy

Published: 20 February 2026, The English Chronicle Desk, The English Chronicle Online The United States has posted another staggering trade deficit figure, underscoring the limits of President Donald Trump’s tariff strategy to curb the nation’s imbalances in global commerce. Despite the administration’s aggressive levies on imported goods, new data show that the deficit remains near historic highs — particularly in the goods trade — raising questions about the effectiveness of...

Published: 20 February 2026, The English Chronicle Desk, The English Chronicle Online Workers at a factory scheduled to close later this year are being paid to volunteer at a local food bank, in an unusual initiative that has drawn praise from the community. Employees at the Jacobs Douwe Egberts coffee factory in Banbury, Oxfordshire, are using paid time during the plant’s wind‑down to help sort and distribute food for those...

Published: 20 February 2026, The English Chronicle Desk, The English Chronicle Online A report revealing that jobless migrant households in the UK received a combined £10 billion in government benefits has sparked widespread anger and debate. Critics say the figures highlight a growing strain on public finances and have called for urgent reform of welfare policies. According to the data, thousands of migrant households who are unemployed have accessed benefits...

Published: 20 February 2026, The English Chronicle Desk, The English Chronicle Online Tesco has announced a new initiative aimed at improving the shopping experience for its customers: a revised rule for the use of customer parking spaces across its stores in the UK. The announcement has already sparked excitement among shoppers, with many praising the move as a long-overdue improvement. Under the new guidelines, Tesco will prioritize parking spaces for...

Published: 20 February 2026, The English Chronicle Desk, The English Chronicle Online A popular store at one of the UK’s most famous shopping villages has announced it will close after 18 years of trading, citing rising costs and overheads as the primary reasons for its decision. The closure marks the end of an era for shoppers who have frequented the store for nearly two decades. The management of the store...

Published: 20 February 2026, The English Chronicle Desk, The English Chronicle Online A major UK service station operator has announced the closure of several of its sites, following the liquidation of another prominent chain in the sector. The move has raised concerns over job losses and the future of roadside amenities across the country. Industry sources confirmed that the closures affect multiple locations nationwide, with employees being offered support and...

Published: 20 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online The United States and Indonesia have finalised a major reciprocal trade agreement that will see Washington lower tariffs on Indonesian goods to 19 percent, deepening economic ties between the two nations and reshaping their long-standing trade relationship. The agreement was formally signed in Washington, D.C., by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, after months...

Published: 20 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online Hollywood is facing a fresh wave of anxiety — not from box-office flops or streaming wars, but from a Chinese-developed AI app that can create near-cinematic video clips from simple text prompts, provoking alarm among major studios and creatives alike. The technology, known as Seedance 2.0, has quickly gone viral after users generated hyper-realistic footage featuring world-famous actors...

Published: 19 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Tim Wilson has clarified his position on the Reserve Bank of Australia’s dual mandate after initial comments sparked political backlash. The new shadow treasurer said he fully supports the bank’s twin objectives, despite suggesting earlier that inflation control should take precedence over full employment. Wilson’s remarks, made just days into his appointment, prompted strong criticism from government ministers...

Published: 19 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. Vermont senator Bernie Sanders unleashed a fierce critique of billionaire greed during a rally in Los Angeles, framing California’s proposed wealth tax as a moral and political imperative. The 84-year-old lawmaker, known for decades of outspoken criticism of economic inequality, addressed a packed Wiltern Theater on Wednesday, warning voters that the richest Americans are “treading on very, very...