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 US government’s case against Google’s dominance in search has drawn global attention. Not since Microsoft faced trial in 1998 has Big Tech confronted such scrutiny. One year after Judge Amit Mehta declared Google a monopolist, he issued remedies that some critics call weak, while others argue they could still shape competition. Chrome and Android remain untouched During the remedies phase, many expected a breakup. Judge Mehta rejected calls to spin off Chrome, the world’s most popular browser. The Justice Department also sought oversight of Android to prevent Google from reinforcing its dominance in search and advertising. Both platforms survived…
Gold has climbed to an all-time high as global uncertainty pushes investors toward safe assets. On Tuesday morning, the spot price reached $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 higher Gold typically gains strength when markets face instability. Earlier this year, prices jumped after President Donald Trump introduced sweeping tariffs. The measures disrupted global trade and encouraged investors to move into secure assets. Analysts also expect the US central bank to cut interest rates, increasing gold’s appeal. Adrian Ash, research director at BullionVault, said…
Shares of Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD dropped by up to 8% on Monday. The decline followed weaker earnings, pressured by deep discounting in a highly competitive EV market. Earnings take a hit 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 makers had hurt results. Rivals slash prices The Shenzhen-based automaker competes with Nio, XPeng, and Tesla. All have cut prices aggressively to attract buyers. BYD shares opened lower in Hong Kong but…
Beer consumption in Germany is falling, while alcohol-free varieties are reaching record popularity. The federal statistics office reports that sales of alcohol-free beer have risen by 109 percent since 2013. Meanwhile, overall beer sales are at their lowest level in more than 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 marks a decline of 6.3 percent, or 262 million liters, compared with the same period in 2024. breweries respond to changing trends The Erdinger brewery near Munich has…
A US appeals court has ruled that most tariffs imposed by Donald Trump are illegal. The decision delivers a significant blow to his trade agenda and sets the stage for a Supreme Court review. The ruling cancels Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of countries. It also nullifies levies on 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 claim that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act allowed him to act. They emphasized that only Congress has…
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,…
