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.
Shares of Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD fell by as much as 8% on Monday. The decline followed weaker earnings, pressured by aggressive discounting in a highly competitive market. Quarterly profits under pressure On Friday, BYD reported net profit of 6.4bn yuan ($900m; £660m) for April to June. That marked a 30% decline compared with the same period last year. The company said intense price competition among EV brands had hurt overall results. Rivals intensify competition The Shenzhen-based automaker faces growing pressure from Nio, XPeng, and Tesla. All have cut prices sharply to attract buyers. BYD shares opened lower in…
Beer drinking in Germany is falling, while alcohol-free varieties are gaining popularity. The federal statistics office reports sales of alcohol-free beer have increased by 109 percent since 2013. Meanwhile, overall beer sales are at their lowest level in over 30 years. For the first time, total sales dropped below four billion liters in a half-year period. Between January and June 2025, German breweries sold around 3.9 billion liters. That represents a decline of 6.3 percent, or 262 million liters, compared with the same period in 2024. breweries adjust to evolving habits The Erdinger brewery near Munich has been producing beer…
A US appeals court has ruled that most tariffs imposed by Donald Trump are unlawful. The decision delivers a major blow to his trade agenda and sets up a potential Supreme Court showdown. The ruling cancels Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of nations. It also nullifies levies imposed on China, Mexico and Canada. Court reaffirms Congress’s control over tariffs 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 allowed him to act. They emphasized that only Congress…
The United States has cancelled a decades-old tariff exemption that allowed parcels under $800 to enter duty-free, transforming e-commerce. From Friday, small shipments will face customs checks and tariffs. Millions of packages daily will be affected. Customs data shows that in 2023 nearly 1.4 billion packages worth over $64bn entered the US under the de minimis rule. Experts warn higher prices, fewer choices, and significant challenges for small businesses. Katherine Theobalds, founder of Buenos Aires shoe brand Zou Xou, said: “It might be the end for us.” How de minimis shaped trade The de minimis exemption began in 1938 to…
Nvidia has reported record revenue as artificial intelligence fuels strong growth, even while geopolitical pressures challenge the company’s outlook. On Wednesday, the Santa Clara-based chipmaker announced $46.7bn (£34.6bn) in second-quarter revenue, a 56% increase from the same period in 2024. Shares fell in after-hours trading after executives acknowledged the company was still “working through geopolitical issues.” Nvidia remains at the center of trade tensions between Washington and Beijing. Rapid policy changes under the Trump administration, aimed at maintaining US leadership in artificial intelligence, add further uncertainty to the company’s prospects. Tech giants accelerate AI expansion Nvidia’s processors have become essential…
South Korea has passed a law banning smartphones and other smart devices during school hours. The country joins a growing number of nations restricting phone use to protect students’ learning 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 push for limits Supporters say phones disrupt lessons and weaken 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 remove Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook. The decision intensifies his ongoing clash with the central bank. Trump claimed Cook provided false information on mortgage documents and argued that constitutional authority allows him to dismiss her. Cook rejected the claim, insisting the president lacks legal power to fire her. She confirmed she will not resign. No US president has previously attempted to remove a Federal Reserve governor. Trump’s action follows months of criticism toward the Fed and its chair Jerome Powell. He accuses Powell of refusing to lower interest rates quickly. Cook’s…
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 denounced President Donald Trump’s plan to send the National Guard to Chicago. He called the move an abuse of power. Pritzker argued no emergency exists that justifies sending troops into Illinois. He accused Trump of creating a crisis to expand federal authority. Trump has already sent about 2,000 troops to Washington DC. The city’s Democratic leaders opposed the deployment. Trump frames the operation 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…
US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick announced on Friday that Washington will acquire a 10% stake in Intel. “This historic agreement strengthens American leadership in semiconductors. It will grow our economy and protect our technological edge,” Lutnick wrote on X. He shared the post with a photo of himself alongside Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan. President Donald Trump confirmed the deal earlier in the Oval Office. He described it as “a great deal for them.” Shares of the Santa Clara-based chipmaker rose more than 5% on Friday. Intel confirmed that the US government will invest $8.9bn (£6.6bn) in its common stock.…
