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.
The United States has ended a decades-old tariff exemption that let parcels under $800 enter duty-free, reshaping online shopping. From Friday, small shipments will face customs inspections and tariffs. Millions of packages each day 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 prices will rise, consumer choice will shrink, and small businesses will struggle. Katherine Theobalds, founder of Buenos Aires shoe brand Zou Xou, said: “It might be the end for us.” The role of the de minimis exemption The de minimis…
Nvidia has posted record revenue as demand for artificial intelligence surges, despite growing political tensions affecting global markets. On Wednesday, the Santa Clara-based chipmaker reported $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 admitted the company was still “working through geopolitical issues.” Nvidia remains at the center of trade disputes between Washington and Beijing. Frequent policy changes under the Trump administration, aimed at protecting US dominance in artificial intelligence, add further uncertainty for the company. Tech giants drive AI growth Nvidia’s processors are central to the global…
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 say it is necessary to curb smartphone addiction, which research increasingly links to harmful effects. Parents and lawmakers demand change Supporters argue phones disrupt lessons and reduce academic performance. Children spend too much time scrolling instead of studying or socialising. Parents worry devices prevent children from forming friendships or taking…
US President Donald Trump has announced he will immediately dismiss Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook. The decision escalates his ongoing confrontation with the central bank. Trump alleged 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 has no legal right to fire her. She confirmed she will not resign. No US 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…
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 deploy the National Guard in Chicago. He called it an abuse of power. Pritzker said no emergency exists that would justify sending troops into Illinois. He accused Trump of manufacturing a crisis to advance his agenda. Trump has already deployed around 2,000 troops to Washington DC. The city’s Democratic leadership opposed 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 had received…
US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick announced on Friday that Washington will purchase a 10% ownership stake in Intel. “This historic agreement strengthens American leadership in semiconductors. It will boost our economy and secure our technological edge,” Lutnick wrote on X. He included a photo of himself with 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. Grants redirected…
Elon Musk and his company X have reached a settlement with former staff. The employees had sued for $500 million in unpaid severance. The agreement appeared in a court filing on Wednesday. Both parties asked the San Francisco appeals court to postpone a hearing. They said more time was needed to finalize the paperwork. Legal battle followed mass layoffs The case began after Musk dismissed around 6,000 employees in 2022. That was more than half of the company’s workforce. Many of the affected staff challenged the severance packages in court. Representatives of X and the employees’ lawyers have not publicly…
Sony will increase the price of the PlayStation 5 in the United States by about $50 starting Thursday. Rising production costs and slower demand are affecting the gaming market. Sony executive Isabelle Tomatis said in a blog post that the company is operating in a “challenging economic environment.” All three console models will become more expensive. The Pro edition will now retail for $749.99. Tariffs push consumer prices higher The price increase follows tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on several trade partners, including Japan. These measures raised concerns about higher costs for American consumers. Tomatis said: “We made the…
The Kremlin has downplayed reports of an upcoming meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. Donald Trump called for the two leaders to meet to seek an end to the war in Ukraine. Trump made the appeal after meeting Putin in Alaska last week and hosting Zelensky alongside seven European leaders at the White House on Monday. He admitted the conflict is “tough” to resolve and suggested Putin might not want peace. “We’re going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks,” he said on Tuesday. “It’s possible that he doesn’t want to make a deal.”…
