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 an all-time peak as global uncertainty drives investors toward safer assets. On Tuesday morning, the spot price rose to $3,508.50 per ounce. The surge extends a rally that has lifted the metal by nearly a third this year. Trade tensions trigger surge Gold traditionally strengthens during unstable times. Earlier this year, its value increased after President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs. Those measures disrupted global trade and pushed investors to safer ground. Analysts also expect the US central bank to cut interest rates, which makes gold even more attractive. Adrian Ash, research director at BullionVault, tied the…
Shares of Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD fell by up to 8% on Monday. The decline followed weaker-than-expected profits, squeezed by an escalating price war in the domestic auto industry. Earnings take a sharp hit On Friday, BYD reported net profit of 6.4bn yuan ($900m; £660m) between April and June. The figure showed a 30% fall compared with the same period a year earlier. The company said growing price competition among electric carmakers has hurt the entire market. Rivals drive prices lower The Shenzhen-based group faces rising pressure from Chinese competitors Nio and XPeng, as well as Tesla from the…
Beer drinking in Germany is declining, but alcohol-free varieties are becoming more popular than ever. Figures from the federal statistics office show sales of alcohol-free beer have risen by 109 percent since 2013. Meanwhile, overall beer sales are now 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, breweries sold about 3.9 billion liters. That equals a drop of 6.3 percent, or 262 million liters, compared with the same period in 2024. breweries look for new appeal Erdinger brewery near…
A US appeals court has ruled that most tariffs introduced by Donald Trump are illegal. The decision undermines one of his hallmark trade policies and sets up a fierce legal confrontation. The judgement affects Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of nations. It also blocks levies imposed on China, Mexico and Canada. Court rejects presidential authority The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a 7-4 decision. Judges said Trump’s tariffs were “invalid as contrary to law”. They dismissed his claim that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act allowed him to impose tariffs. The ruling stressed that tariff power…
The United States has ended a long-standing tariff exemption that supported global trade in low-cost goods. From Friday, imports worth $800 or less will no longer enter duty-free and will face stricter customs checks. The change will affect millions of packages daily. In 2023, nearly 1.4 billion parcels entered the US duty-free under the de minimis exemption, worth more than $64bn. Experts warn the shift will hit small businesses hardest. Shoppers should prepare for higher prices and fewer choices until markets adjust. “I’ve reached the point of acceptance, but when I first heard the news, I thought it might be…
Nvidia continues to grow rapidly as artificial intelligence demand soars, even while political disputes create uncertainty for its future. On Wednesday, the US chip designer reported revenue of $46.7bn (£34.6bn) for the second quarter, marking a 56% rise from the same period in 2024. Despite the strong results, shares slipped in after-hours trading after the firm admitted it was still “working through geopolitical issues”. The company remains entangled in the trade battle between Washington and Beijing. Fast-changing rules from the Trump administration, intended to secure America’s lead in artificial intelligence, add further pressure on Nvidia. AI demand drives record sales…
South Korea has approved a nationwide ban on smartphones and other smart devices during school hours. The country joins a global movement restricting children’s phone use to protect learning and health. The law will take effect in March 2026. Lawmakers from both government and opposition parties supported it. They say it is necessary to reduce smartphone addiction, which researchers increasingly link to harmful effects. Push from parents and politicians Backers argue that constant phone use disrupts classes and lowers academic performance. They say children waste valuable time scrolling instead of studying or socialising. Parents worry their children lose focus, friendships,…
US President Donald Trump has declared that he will remove Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook from office without delay. The announcement marks a historic escalation in his battle with the central bank. Trump claimed there was “sufficient reason” to accuse Cook of giving false information on mortgage agreements. He cited constitutional authority that he argued grants him the power to act. Cook rejected the decision, stressing that the president has no right to dismiss her. She said she would not resign. No US president has ever attempted to remove a member of the Federal Reserve’s board. The move comes as…
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,…
President Donald Trump’s plan to send troops to Chicago is an abuse of power, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said. He argued there is no emergency that justifies the National Guard in Illinois. He accused Trump of attempting to manufacture a crisis. Trump already sent about 2,000 troops to Washington DC. The capital’s Democratic leadership opposes his decision. Trump presents the deployment as a crackdown on crime in major US cities. On Friday, Trump announced that Chicago and New York could be next. Chicago mayor warns of unrest Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he had not received any official notice about…