Science & Technology

Published: 02 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The UK teen social media ban debate has entered a decisive new phase. Hundreds of young people will soon take part in trials testing restrictions. The government hopes these pilots will shape future online safety laws. The consultation could lead to strict national limits for under-16s. Ministers say urgent action is needed to protect children’s wellbeing. Under proposals...

Published: 27 February 2026The English Chronicle DeskThe English Chronicle Online The competition to establish orbital launch capabilities in the Arctic north is intensifying, with countries and private aerospace companies accelerating plans to transform the region into a strategic hub for space access and satellite deployment. Traditionally peripheral in global aerospace operations, the High North is now drawing significant investment and geopolitical focus as nations seek to reduce dependence on established...

Published: 27 February 2026The English Chronicle DeskThe English Chronicle Online A major new study has found that people who follow a vegetarian diet have a significantly lower risk of developing several types of cancer, compared with those who regularly eat meat, according to research published this month in the British Journal of Cancer. The study, which is the largest of its kind, analysed health and dietary information from more than...

Published: 27 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The world of international ice hockey usually focuses on the speed of the puck and the strength of the players. However, a recent digital controversy has shifted the spotlight from the rink to the complex world of artificial intelligence. US hockey star Brady Tkachuk has found himself at the centre of a viral storm following a historic victory....

Published: 28 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online Instagram has launched an investigation into AI-generated profiles that appear to sexualize or fetishise disabled people, amid growing concerns over algorithmic content and online harassment. The platform, owned by Meta, said it is reviewing these accounts to ensure compliance with its community standards and to prevent exploitation or harm. Disability advocacy groups have highlighted the issue as part...

Published: 28 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online Burger King has begun testing AI-powered headsets for employees in select locations, designed to monitor customer interactions and provide real-time feedback on “friendliness” and service quality. The move represents one of the first instances of a major fast-food chain using artificial intelligence to track employee behaviour at the individual level. The system uses speech and sentiment analysis to...

Published: 27 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The Metropolitan Police are set to pilot handheld facial recognition devices to verify citizens’ identities during routine stops. Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed that one hundred officers will test the technology over a six-month period, describing it as a tool to reduce unnecessary arrests while critics warn of potential civil liberties infringements. The announcement follows rising public concern over...

Published: 28 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online Festival-goers and sports fans are all too familiar with the frustration of losing mobile signal at major events. Whether trying to share a live video of a headline act or checking scores in real time, mobile coverage often fails just when it is needed most. Experts explain that the issue is not a single network failure, but the...

Published: 28 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online Jack Dorsey’s financial technology company Block Inc has announced a major workforce reduction, cutting more than 4,000 jobs — roughly 40 per cent of its global staff — as it pivots sharply toward artificial intelligence and a leaner organisational model. In a letter to employees and shareholders, Block’s co‑founder and CEO said the decision reflects a deliberate strategy to become a...

Published: 27 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online. The UK government is preparing to take a significant step toward banning social media for under-16s, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer increasingly expected to support the measure. Ministers plan to launch a public consultation next week, which will explore potential approaches including a strict age limit and alternative measures such as restricting infinite scrolling. The consultation, led by...