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Two senior leaders have left the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS). Executive chair Amit Oberoi (pictured) and chief strategy officer Alex Minett have both departed the organisation. Oberoi became non-executive chair in July 2022 and executive chair the following year. His directorship was terminated on Companies House this morning (12 August). Minett took on his role, which was not a company director position, in January this year. A CCS spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Amit Oberoi and Alex Minett are no longer employed by CCS. “CCS continues to focus on its core strategic objective of raising standards in the construction industry.” The firm would not comment on the reasons for the departures. Construction News understands the scheme is currently being led by a managing director, Desiree Blamey, who has moved up from her previous role of partnerships director. It is unclear whether the organisation will recruit for a new executive chair, but it has closed applications after advertising for a replacement for the partnerships director position. The not-for-profit body, which is ultimately owned by the Construction Products Association and Construction Industry Council, operates a voluntary scoring system for construction site standards and a public complaints service. Its revenue model is built entirely around registration fees from participating entities (sites, companies and suppliers), making it self-financing and not dependent on external funding. According to its latest accounts, the scheme made a loss of £78,700 last year on a turnover of £5.3m in 2023. Directors’ emoluments rose to £219,000, up from the £84,200 paid out the previous year. Last year, CCS made headlines after summarily axing 20 of its monitors – people carrying out inspections of registered sites. Oberoi said at the time that the high rate of insolvencies in the sector had hit the scheme’s finances. The former executive chair, a previous director of Deloitte in Australia and a Lendlease manager, according to his LinkedIn profile, also joined the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity as a trustee in April but stood down in mid-July. A spokesperson for the charity told CN on Friday that they were unable to comment on the reason for this. Oberoi has been approached for comment. Read More

The number of people employed in construction dropped to the second-lowest level in almost a quarter of a century from April to the end of June. Office for National Statistics figures released today for the second quarter of the year show that 2,081,000 people were employed in the sector. This was up on the figure of 2,067,000 in the same period last year, which was the lowest headcount in the sector since January-to-March 2001. The previous three quarters had seen rises, but the total for the second quarter this year, released today, is down 2.8 per cent on the first quarter. The news comes on the same day that the government announced the locations of 10 new technical skills colleges to train up a new generation of construction workers, as part of a £625m skills package announced earlier in the year. Many in the sector welcomed the package but, speaking to Construction News in an in-depth feature exploring the funding, Paul Ruddick, chairman and founder of modular construction specialist Reds10, said industry reform was also needed. “Ultimately, the skills gap won’t be bridged until the construction industry gets its own house in order,” he said. “We need a new model of main contracting that brings more of the supply chain and design in-house, so innovation can be properly harnessed to drive improvements in productivity, and we need a new model of doing business with more contractors developing their own workforce, as construction used to do.” Today’s figures also show that the percentage of women employed in construction rose to 15.2 per cent during the latest quarter, up from 13.2 per cent in the same period last year. The number of female construction workers rose from 272,000 to 318,000 over the year. Find data on construction employment levels, overall and by company, at CN Intelligence Read More

Cardano is gaining bullish momentum as the market builds, signalling the potential for a decisive upside move. Price action is steadily pressing toward a critical resistance zone, with buyers showing renewed strength. A sustained push from current levels could pave the way for the ADA price to test the $1.20 mark, a threshold that may trigger heightened interest and fuel further gains. With sentiment improving and volatility on the rise, ADA’s short-term trajectory appears primed for a continuation toward higher valuation levels. The ADA price is coiling up, making less noise, which has helped the token to break out of the prolonged bearish trend. With this, the price is consolidating just below the $0.8 to $0.85 resistance and the trendline; a confirmed breakout could trigger a move toward $1.50. The question now arises: Is this breakout on the horizon?  Traders Turn Optimistic on Cardano  The on-chain readings suggest the traders are turning optimistic as the open interest has marked a new ATH.  The Open Interest has seen a sudden rise since the November 2024 breakout and has been scaling high, and has almost reached $1.80 billion. The rising open interest indicates growing bullish sentiment among the traders, which could be a bullish signal for the ADA price.  Will ADA Price Rise above $1 This Week?  The Cardano price appears to have completed the correction after a breakout, suggesting a bullish wave is about to begin.  The above chart shows the ADA price broke out from the descending parallel channel, and after a small correction, the price has triggered a rebound. Interestingly, this rebound has turned the indicators bullish, hinting towards a potential breakout. The 50/200-day MAs are heading for a bullish crossover, called the Golden Cross, that previously resulted in a 120% rise. On the other hand, the MACD has also displayed a similar crossover, which suggests buying pressure is about to coil up.  Considering the previous chart patterns and the current market conditions, Cardano (ADA) price is primed for a breakout above $0.9 at any time from now. However, securing $0.92 could pave the way for a larger breakout above $1 and reach $1.12 We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts on This Article! Was this writing helpful? Read More

Ethereum (ETH) price has surged faster than most traders thought. The large-cap altcoin, with a fully diluted valuation of about $542 billion, edged over 4.4 percent higher in the past 24 hours to reach a multi-year high of about $4,500 for the first time since December 2021. The notable ETH price bullish breakout on Tuesday resulted in the liquidation of over $157 million, with short traders accounting for $102 million. As a result, the ongoing short-squeeze has fueled the odds of Ether price hitting its all-time high (ATH) before the end of August. Ethereum Records Massive Cash Inflows from Institutional Investors  As Coinpedia reported, the Ethereum network has recorded a massive cash inflow in the last few weeks. For instance, the U.S. spot Ether ETFs a whooping $1.02 billion in net cash inflow on Monday, led by BlackRock’s ETHA and Fidelity’s FBTC.  The companies implementing Ethereum treasuries have surged significantly in the past few weeks. For example, BitMine increased its at-the-market equity program by $20B to around $24 billion to purchase more Ether.  SharpLink Gaming purchased 5,226 Ether on Tuesday, thus increasing its net holdings to 604,026 ETH, valued at over $2.6 billion. Meanwhile, a newly created wallet withdrew 23,365 ETH from Kraken, worth about $104 million. Has the Altseason Started or is it Just ETH Season? With Ether price less than 10 percent from its all-time high, a resurgence of speculative FOMO traders has increased the odds of an altseason. Moreover, Bitcoin price has stagnated below a crucial resistance level around $120k, and large-cap altcoins – including Chainlink (LINK), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Solana (SOL) – have signaled a midterm bullish sentiment. However, crypto analyst Benjamin Cowen has indicated that the current bullish outlook is merely an Ether season, not an altseason. Nonetheless, the anticipated Fed rate cut in September will likely trigger a wider crypto bull rally. We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts on This Article! Was this writing helpful? Read More

Chainlink (LINK) is gaining strong momentum today, fueled by a breakout above key resistance levels and a broader crypto market rally. The price has cleared a long-term descending trendline, opening the path toward higher targets. On-chain reserve accumulation is reducing circulating supply, strengthening the bullish outlook. Institutional developments, such as Chainlink’s partnership with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), are boosting long-term utility. With $22.5 now in focus, the big question is, can the LINK price reach its next major target at $50, and if so, when will it happen? Why is Chainlink Price Rising Today? Chainlink (LINK) price is moving higher today, supported by a blend of technical breakouts, supply dynamics, and positive market sentiment. The broader cryptocurrency rally is providing a favourable backdrop, with Bitcoin and Ethereum’s strength lifting major altcoins. LINK has recently broken above important resistance levels, signaling renewed bullish momentum. On-chain developments, including strategic reserve accumulation, are tightening the circulating supply, which can create upward price pressure.  Institutional adoption is also playing a major role, with Chainlink’s recent partnership with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) bringing high-quality financial data on-chain—a move that enhances its real-world utility and positions it as a critical player in blockchain infrastructure. Growing integration across DeFi platforms continues to expand LINK’s demand base. Together, these factors—strong market sentiment, reduced supply, institutional-grade partnerships, and expanding ecosystem adoption—are driving today’s positive price action and could pave the way for further gains if momentum continues to build. LINK Price Analysis: Will it Reach $50? LINK price is trading within a long-term upward channel, currently approaching the upper midline, suggesting strong bullish momentum with room toward $26.46 and potentially higher. The recent weekly close above $21.68 has confirmed a breakout from the consolidation zone, turning previous resistance into support. The breakout from the double-bottom or the w-shaped pattern has also validated a rise above the bearish influence Price action has moved firmly above the midline of the Gaussian channel, showing a shift from neutral to bullish territory, which often precedes extended upside moves. The parallel channel’s upper boundary currently aligns near the $35–$36 range, acting as the long-term bullish target if momentum continues, while the lower boundary offers strong dynamic support on any corrections. Based on the current ascending channel and breakout structure in your chart, here’s a price projection for Chainlink (LINK) Minimum Price Average Price Maximum Price Short Term (2 to 4 Weeks) $21.7 to $22 $23 to $25 $26 to $28 Midterm (1 to 3 Months) $24.5 to $26 $28 to $34 $32 to $38 Long Term (6 to 12 Months) $28 to $32 $35 to $36 $48 to $50 What’s Next for the Chainlink (LINK) Price Rally? Chainlink’s upcoming network upgrades, including enhanced Data Streams integration and expanded cross-chain interoperability, are set to boost its role in DeFi, real-world asset tokenization, and institutional adoption. These developments aim to increase transaction efficiency, security, and scalability, attracting more developers and enterprise clients to the network.  As adoption grows, demand for LINK tokens used in staking and service payments is likely to rise, tightening supply and supporting price growth. Combined with current bullish momentum, these upgrades could propel LINK toward $26.46 in the short term, $31–$32 in the medium term, and potentially $35–$36 over the longer horizon. We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts on This Article! Was this writing helpful? Read More

Circle, a publicly listed U.S. company known for its USDC stablecoin, has revealed plans to launch a new layer-1 blockchain later this year. In a latest press release, Circle announced Arc, a new Layer-1 blockchain, designed to provide an “enterprise-grade foundation” for stablecoin payments, foreign exchange, and capital markets applications. ” The EVM-compatible network uses USDC as its native gas and includes an integrated stablecoin FX engine, sub-second settlement finality, and optional privacy controls for users. Arc will be fully integrated across Circle’s platform and remain interoperable with other partner blockchains. The company plans to launch a public test version of Arc this fall.  Circle called this blockchain “purpose-built” for stablecoin finance, marking a defining moment in its journey to deliver a “full-stack platform” for the internet financial system. Q2 Revenue Hits $658M, USDC Circulation Rises To $65B The company recently posted its Q2 results with strong growth. Its USDC in circulation soared 90% year-over-year to $61.3 billion by the quarter’s end and climbed even higher to $65.2 billion by August 10, 2025. The total revenue and reserve income also jumped 53% year-over-year, reaching $658 million. It also reported a net loss of $482 million, mainly due to $591 million in non-cash expenses related to its June IPO. Jeremy Allaire, Circle’s CEO, praised the company’s strong Q2 growth and successful IPO, calling it a key milestone for both Circle and the wider stablecoin industry. Circle’s Major Milestones and Partnerships Boost Growth Circle achieved major milestones this year. It completed a successful $1.2 billion IPO and, in May, launched its Payments Network, a cutting-edge platform that enables over 100 financial institutions to use stablecoins for payments. In July, Circle launched Gateway on testnet, enabling instant USDC access across blockchains, with no bridging or moving funds needed. It is also expanding with new partnerships across digital assets, banking, payments, and capital markets, including big names like Binance, Corpay, FIS, Fiserv, and OKX. The stablecoin market is growing fast, especially after President Trump signed the GENIUS Act into law. The new law sets clear federal rules for payment stablecoins in the U.S., giving the industry a big boost.  The total stablecoin market is currently over $282 billion. We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts on This Article! Was this writing helpful? Read More

The ongoing feud between President Trump and Jerome Powell has taken a sharp turn, as Trump is now threatening legal action against the Fed Chair. Trump Blasts Powell Over Fed Building Costs In a latest post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his frustration with how Powell handled repairs on construction relating to Federal Reserve buildings and accused him of massive overspending and mismanagement.  “Three Billion Dollars for a job that should have been a $50 million fix-up. Not good,” he said. Because of this, Trump is considering allowing a major lawsuit against Powell for what he calls a “horrible and grossly incompetent” job.  The Trump administration has previously criticized Powell over the renovation costs. Recently, Russell Vought, the budget chief, accused Jerome Powell of seriously mismanaging the Federal Reserve and misleading Congress about the price and scope of the big renovation project at the Fed’s headquarters. Powell responded, saying that the renovation has been closely overseen and that necessary repairs drove the costs up. Trump also took a jab at former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and blamed him for backing Powell’s appointment. Trump Pushes For Rate Cuts Trump yet again called out Powell for not lowering interest rates. “The damage he has done by always being Too Late is incalculable”, he added. Despite this, Trump says the economy is strong enough to overcome Powell and the Federal Reserve Board’s slow actions. Powell’s Future Uncertain Powell’s term runs until May 2026, and Trump has talked about firing him sooner but later backed off, saying it was highly unlikely. The Fed chair can usually only be removed for serious reasons, not just policy differences. Recently, Trump nominated Stephen Miran to the Federal Reserve Board to replace Adriana Kugler. Miran will serve on the Fed board until January 2026 while the search continues for a permanent replacement and a new Fed chair. We’d Love to Hear Your Thoughts on This Article! Was this writing helpful? Read More

Topline President Donald Trump extended a pause on tariffs against Chinese imports to the U.S. for another 90 days Monday, hours before an initial 90-day moratorium was set to expire on the 145% tariff on Chinese goods Trump imposed briefly in May, according to multiple reports. President Donald Trump attends a news conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, August 11, 2025. (Photo by Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu via Getty Images Key Facts Trump signed an executive order to extend the truce until Nov. 9, multiple outlets reported, citing an unnamed White House official. The U.S. and China reached an initial temporary agreement in May after talks in Sweden, lowering Trump’s tariffs from 145% to 30% (including a 10% baseline tariff and 20% additional penalty for fentanyl imports) for 90 days, while China agreed to lower its retaliatory levies from 125% to 10% and agreed to lift a moratorium on exports of rare earth magnets. U.S. and Chinese officials hinted at the extended pause in the preceding days, with Trump telling reporters at the White House on Monday “we’ll see what happens,” adding “they’ve been dealing quite nicely—the relationship is very good with President Xi and myself.” Chinese officials also said earlier Monday they were optimistic about a delay in implementing the higher tariffs, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian saying in a statement “we hope that the U.S. will work with China to follow the important consensus reached during the phone call between the two heads of state,” an apparent reference to the June phone call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, The Guardian reported. What To Watch For Trump in a Truth Social post Sunday urged China to “quadruple” purchases of U.S. soybeans, as Beijing—the largest buyer of American oilseed—has yet to book any cargoes for the upcoming harvest as of late July amid the trade standoff, Bloomberg reported, citing government data. Tangent Trump announced Monday gold imports will not face tariffs, alleviating fears among importers after Customs and Border Protection informed businesses that gold bars ranging from one to 100 kilos would be subject to tariffs. Key Background The extension of the pause on China tariffs marks Trump’s latest reverse course on trade after threatening a wide range of “reciprocal tariffs” on “Liberation Day” in April. Trump’s initial pause on the Liberation Day tariffs for most U.S. trading partners was lifted Thursday, driving tariffs to an average of more than 18%, the highest level since 1934, according to the Yale Budget Lab. Some countries, including Japan, South Korea and the European Union, negotiated individual trade deals with the U.S. during the pause. Trump also announced last week a new 50% tariff on India, double the current rate, in part as punishment for purchasing Russian oil as Trump has sought to negotiate an end to Russia’s war with Ukraine. China could also face an additional levy as punishment for buying Russian oil, Vice President JD Vance warned Sunday on Fox News. Further Reading Trump ‘TACO’ Tracker: Here Are The President’s 28 Tariff Flip-Flops (Forbes) Trump Doubles India Tariffs To 50% In Retaliation For Russian Oil Purchases (Forbes) Gold Imports Will Not Face Tariffs, Trump Says (Forbes) Read More

Topline President Donald Trump directed the federal government Monday to take over Washington, D.C.’s police operations in order to combat purported crime in the nation’s capital—and deployed the National Guard to the city—taking dramatic steps that are largely within the president’s legal authority, though there are still some checks on what Trump can do. President Donald Trump speaks with reporters at the White House on Aug. 11 as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi look on. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved Key Facts Trump released an executive order Monday that directed Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to be temporarily under federal control, citing “special conditions of an emergency nature” that require the city’s police force to be used “for federal purposes.” He also directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy National Guard troops to the city, saying in an order that troops should be deployed “to address the epidemic of crime in our Nation’s capital.” Trump said he was taking control of the city’s police force under the Home Rule Act that lays out how Washington is run, which gives the president authority to use MPD “for federal purposes” in emergency situations, but only for 30 days, unless Congress approves an extension. The president’s move to deploy the National Guard is less legally questionable in the district than in other U.S. cities—like when Trump sent troops to Los Angeles—as federal law broadly gives the president control over Washington, D.C.’s National Guard, and there are fewer legal restrictions on him deploying those troops. Monday’s executive orders could still face legal challenges, however, as Washington, D.C., Attorney General Brian Schwalb said Trump’s actions are “unprecedented, unnecessary, and unlawful” and the district is “considering all of our options and will do what is necessary to protect the rights and safety of District residents.” How Does The Home Rule Act Allow Trump To Control D.c. Police? The Home Rule Act, passed in 1973, says the president can inform the mayor he’s taking federal control of the MPD whenever he “determines that special conditions of an emergency nature exist” that necessitate using the district police force. The law states the president can only use the city’s police “for federal purposes,” however, which Georgetown Law professor Steven Vladeck notes means Trump cannot legally control how the police force carries out its other duties. It’s unclear what the full scope of using the MPD for “federal purposes” could include in practice. That suggests Trump could face legal challenges if he takes steps to more broadly control MPD’s operations. Trump is also only allowed under the law to control the local police force for up to 48 hours unless he notifies Congress of an extension, which he has reportedly already done. After the congressional notification, the president can use Washington’s police force for up to 30 days, at which point Congress would have to expressly authorize an extension. Can Trump Deploy The National Guard To D.c.? Most likely, though it still could be challenged in court. The Justice Department has previously ruled in legal memos that presidents have the authority to deploy the National Guard in Washington, D.C., without violating the Posse Comitatus Act (PCA), a 19th century law that otherwise broadly bars federal troops from being deployed for civilian law enforcement. While the National Guard is overseen by the governors of states where they’re deployed, federal law gives the president authority over the National Guard in Washington, D.C., so there’s more flexibility for Trump to deploy troops in that city compared to others. That being said, the DOJ’s previous memos on presidential authority in deploying troops to Washington aren’t legally binding, so Democrats could still try to sue over the issue. Can Trump Fully Control Washington, D.c.? No. While the Home Rule Act gives Trump some authority over the district and its law enforcement, Congress broadly allows the district to operate with its own city council and local government, rather than being directly under full federal control. Congress would have to amend that law for Trump to take greater control over the city, which is unlikely to happen given Republicans’ narrow majority in the Senate. Can Trump Take Similar Steps In Other Cities? Trump suggested Monday he could try to take similar steps to deploy troops to other Democratic-led cities, such as New York, Chicago and Baltimore. “This will go further,” Trump said Monday. That would be much harder to do, however, given those cities don’t have the same legal provisions allowing some federal power as Washington does. Trump is broadly barred from using federal troops to carry out law enforcement actions under the PCA, and he does not have the same privileges to take over other cities’ police operations as he does in Washington. Tangent Trump’s executive order deploying troops to Washington came on the same day as a trial began over the last time the president sent troops to a major city. A California judge is set to decide whether Trump violated the PCA by deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles earlier this summer in response to protests opposing his hardline immigration agenda. The trial began Monday and will stretch through Wednesday, though it’s unclear when a final ruling could come. Key Background Trump’s announcement on sending troops to Washington came after the president had teased for days that he could deploy the military in the nation’s capital as he decried crime in the district. “On Monday a Press Conference will be held at the White House which will, essentially, stop violent crime in Washington, D.C,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday, claiming the city “has become one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the World.” The president has long claimed Washington, New York and other major Democratic-controlled cities are riddled with crime even when statistics have suggested otherwise, with Trump critics pointing out that the DOJ previously said violent crime in Washington hit a 30-year low in 2024. Further Reading ForbesTrump Says

Topline President Donald Trump said Monday Washington, D.C., police would be controlled by the federal government and that he was deploying 800 National Guard troops there, as he announced a crime crackdown in the capital. US President Donald Trump arrives for a Purple Heart Event in the East Room of the White House on Thursday August 7, 2025. (Photo by Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images) The Washington Post via Getty Images Key Facts Promising to “clean [Washington, D.C.] up real quick, very quickly,” Trump alleged “crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor” there, despite crime in Washington reaching a 30-year low this year. The president also declared a public safety emergency in Washington, and said Attorney General Pam Bondi would oversee the takeover of local police under the Home Rule Act, which allows the federal government to take over local police in “special conditions of an emergency nature.” Trump, previewing the announcement earlier Monday on Truth Social, dubbed it “LIBERATION DAY IN D.C.,” the same moniker he used to describe new tariffs he announced in April, adding “the days of ruthlessly killing, or hurting, innocent people, are OVER!” Monday’s announcement comes after Trump reportedly sent FBI officials to conduct patrols in the city overnight on Sunday and was widely expectd to announce the National Guard deployment. Trump previewed the announcement in a Truth Social post Sunday that included images of tent encampments and trash along the streets, writing that homeless people “have to move out, IMMEDIATELY,” warning “criminals” would be “put in jail,” and adding “it’s all going to happen very fast, just like the Border.” In the days leading up to Monday’s announcement, Trump has renewed his threats to “take Federal control of the City,” repeating a warning he’s made for years to tamp down on crime, often putting him at odds with Democrats who control the city’s local government. Key Background The Trump administration reportedly reassigned 120 FBI agents to night patrols in Washington, D.C., enlisting agents from Philadelphia and other locations. The Secret Service has also been ordered to conduct “special patrols” in the city. National Guard troops Trump may deploy to Washington are not expected to have arrest power. What To Watch For Trump said in a Truth Social post Sunday he will also announce “beautification” efforts in Washington, writing that Monday’s press conference “will also be about Cleanliness and the General Physical Renovation and Condition of our once beautiful and well maintained Capital.” Tangent Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser rejected Trump’s claims of a crime spike in Washington, but suggested in an interview on MSNBC on Sunday local authorities would cooperate with the federal crackdown. Bowser said she and Trump have “shared priorities” and touted cooperation between federal and local law enforcement, who she said “always work cooperatively with us, and we expect that they will again.” Violent crime, however, is down 26% in Washington compared to last year, a 30-year-low, Bowser noted in the interview. Trump criticized Bowser in one of his Truth Social posts over the weekend, writing she “is a good person who has tried, but she has been given many chances, and the Crime Numbers get worse, and the City only gets dirtier and less attractive.” Further Reading FBI Patrols Reportedly Deployed In D.C. As Trump Says Homeless Must Leave ‘Immediately’—What We Know (Forbes) Read More