Author: Grace Johnson
Grace Johnson
Grace Johnson is a freelance journalist from the USA with over 15 years of experience reporting on Politics, World Affairs, Business, Health, Technology, Finance, Lifestyle, and Culture. She earned her degree in Communication and Journalism from the University of Miami. Throughout her career, she has contributed to major outlets including The Miami Herald, CNN, and USA Today. Known for her clear and engaging reporting, Grace delivers accurate and timely news that keeps readers informed on both national and global developments.
Gold has reached a record peak as global uncertainty pushes investors toward safe assets. On Tuesday morning, the spot price rose to $3,508.50 per ounce. The rally has lifted the metal by nearly a third since the start of the year. Trade tensions drive gold surge Gold often strengthens when markets face instability. Earlier this year, its price jumped after President Donald Trump introduced sweeping tariffs. The measures disrupted global trade and increased demand for secure investments. Analysts also expect the US central bank to cut interest rates, boosting gold’s appeal further. Adrian Ash, research director at BullionVault, said Trump’s…
Shares of Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD dropped by up to 8% on Monday. The decline followed weaker profits, driven by an intensifying price war in the country’s EV market. Profits take a hit On Friday, BYD reported net profit of 6.4bn yuan ($900m; £660m) for April to June. That represented a 30% decline compared with the same quarter last year. The company said fierce price competition among EV brands had weighed heavily on its results. Competition pushes prices down The Shenzhen-based automaker faces stiff rivalry from Nio, XPeng, and Tesla. All have cut prices to win customers. BYD shares…
Beer drinking in Germany is declining, while alcohol-free varieties are experiencing strong growth. The federal statistics office reports sales of alcohol-free beer have risen by 109 percent since 2013. At the same time, overall beer sales are at their lowest level in more than 30 years. For the first time, total sales fell below four billion liters in a six-month period. Between January and June 2025, German breweries sold around 3.9 billion liters. That represents a drop of 6.3 percent, or 262 million liters, compared with the same period in 2024. breweries respond to changing habits The Erdinger brewery near…
A US appeals court has ruled that most tariffs imposed by Donald Trump are unlawful. The decision deals a major blow to his trade agenda and sets up a likely Supreme Court showdown. The ruling cancels Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of nations. It also invalidates levies applied to China, Mexico and Canada. Court reinforces Congress’s tariff authority In a 7-4 decision, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit declared the tariffs “invalid as contrary to law”. Judges rejected Trump’s argument that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act gave him authority. They emphasized that Congress holds the exclusive…
The United States has ended a decades-old tariff exemption that allowed imports under $800 to enter duty-free, marking a major shift for global e-commerce. From Friday, parcels under this threshold must face customs inspections and pay tariffs. Millions of shipments each day will now be affected. Customs data shows that in 2023, nearly 1.4 billion packages worth over $64bn entered the US under the de minimis rule. Analysts warn the change will raise prices, reduce consumer choice, and challenge small businesses. Katherine Theobalds, founder of Buenos Aires shoe brand Zou Xou, said: “It might be the end for us.” How…
Nvidia has reported record revenue as artificial intelligence drives unprecedented demand, even as political tensions threaten its future. On Wednesday, the Santa Clara-based chipmaker announced $46.7bn (£34.6bn) in second-quarter revenue, up 56% compared with the same period in 2024. Despite the strong performance, shares fell in after-hours trading after executives admitted the company was still “working through geopolitical issues.” Nvidia remains caught in the trade dispute between Washington and Beijing. Rapid policy changes under the Trump administration, aimed at keeping the US ahead in artificial intelligence, add further uncertainty for the company. Tech giants fuel AI boom Nvidia’s advanced chips…
South Korea has passed a law banning smartphones and other smart devices during school hours. The country joins a growing number of nations limiting phone use to protect students’ education and wellbeing. The law will take effect in March 2026. Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties supported it. They argue it is necessary to tackle smartphone addiction, which research increasingly links to harmful effects. Parents and lawmakers call for restrictions Supporters say phones disrupt lessons and lower academic performance. Children spend too much time scrolling instead of studying or socialising. Parents worry devices prevent children from forming friendships or…
US President Donald Trump has announced he will immediately dismiss Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook. The move intensifies his confrontation with the central bank. Trump claimed Cook submitted false information on mortgage documents and argued that constitutional powers give him the authority to remove her. Cook rejected the claim, insisting the president lacks the legal right to fire her. She confirmed she will not resign. No president has ever attempted to dismiss a Federal Reserve governor. Trump’s action follows months of criticism of the Fed and its chair Jerome Powell. He accuses Powell of refusing to lower interest rates quickly.…
Vintage once ruled the wine world In wine, the vintage has always been king. Every bottle of red, white, or rosé almost always carries the year of harvest on the label. Non-vintage still wine, which blends grapes from several years, has long been seen as cheap and undesirable. It is also far less common. But climate change is now shaking this tradition. Heatwaves, droughts, and extreme weather push winemakers to seek consistency. A small but growing group of respected wineries now release non-vintage bottles. They argue blending ensures quality when nature brings chaos. Napa Valley feels the heat Chris Howell,…
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker condemned President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy the National Guard in Chicago. He called it an abuse of power. Pritzker said no emergency justifies sending troops into Illinois. He accused Trump of creating a crisis to justify federal intervention. Trump has already sent about 2,000 troops to Washington DC. The city’s Democratic leadership opposes the measure. Trump presents the deployment as part of a nationwide crackdown on crime. On Friday, he said Chicago and New York could be next. Chicago mayor warns of rising tensions Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he received no official notice about…