Author: Grace Johnson

Sales of new single-family homes in the United States rose 0.6% in June 2025. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate reached 627,000 units, up from May’s seven-month low of 623,000. This increase suggests a modest rebound in the housing market. Experts say the rise in sales indicates steady demand despite higher mortgage rates. Buyers are slowly returning, drawn by rising home inventory and improving affordability in some areas. The increase in new-home sales was widespread across several regions. The South and West led gains, while the Northeast and Midwest showed smaller increases. Analysts note that regional trends reflect local economic conditions,…

Germany is considering giving the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) more supervisory powers. The move aims to unify EU capital markets and make them more attractive to foreign investors. Officials say the plan would create a stronger, more transparent financial system across the European Union. By centralizing oversight, the EU hopes to reduce market fragmentation and improve efficiency. Germany, as Europe’s largest economy, plays a key role in shaping EU financial rules. The proposed changes could help harmonize regulations and simplify investment procedures for both domestic and international businesses. The European Securities and Markets Authority oversees financial markets and…

The largest banks in the United States are preparing to report stronger profits for the third quarter of 2025, fueled by a sharp rebound in investment banking activity. After a year of sluggish performance, renewed deal-making and capital market transactions are driving a much-needed recovery in earnings. Analysts expect the six biggest financial institutions—JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo—to post higher revenues as corporate clients return to the markets. Mergers, acquisitions, and initial public offerings have increased over recent months, signaling renewed business confidence amid easing economic concerns. Industry experts say this surge…

Only four bottles of Asahi Super Dry beer remain on the shelves of Ben Thai, a small restaurant in Sengawacho, a suburb of Tokyo. Owner Sakaolath Sugizaki hopes to receive more soon, but her supplier keeps most stock for larger clients. Cyber-attack halts production at Japan’s biggest brewer Asahi, Japan’s best-selling beer producer, halted production at most of its 30 factories last month after a major cyber-attack. All Japanese facilities, including six breweries, have since partially reopened. Yet, its computer systems remain down. The company now processes orders and shipments manually, relying on pen, paper and fax machines. Shipments have…

“This technology is our future threat,” warns Serhiy Beskrestnov as he inspects a recently captured Russian drone. Unlike conventional weapons, it uses artificial intelligence to identify and strike targets without human control. Beskrestnov, a consultant for Ukraine’s defence forces, has analysed countless drones since the invasion began. This one stands out. It neither sends nor receives signals, making it impossible to jam or detect. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces now experiment with AI on the battlefield. They use it to locate enemy positions, process intelligence, and clear mines faster than ever. Artificial intelligence becomes a frontline force AI has become…

The African American Cultural Festival 2025 took place in Raleigh on August 30–31, drawing thousands of visitors eager to celebrate Black culture. The event highlighted the rich heritage, creativity, and contributions of African Americans in North Carolina. Festivalgoers enjoyed a vibrant mix of art, music, food, and cultural activities. Local artists displayed paintings, sculptures, and crafts that reflected African American history and contemporary expression. Many visitors had the chance to meet artists and learn about their creative processes. Music was a major highlight of the festival. Performances included gospel, jazz, hip-hop, and R&B, showcasing both established and emerging talents. The…

Elon Musk has reached a settlement in a $128 million lawsuit filed by four former senior executives of Twitter, now rebranded as X. The case centered on severance payments the executives said Musk refused to pay after his 2022 takeover. Executives claim they were dismissed unfairly The former leaders, including ex-CEO Parag Agrawal, argued Musk fired them without cause and denied the severance promised under their contracts. In a court filing, their lawyers wrote, “The parties have reached a settlement, and the settlement requires certain conditions to be met in the near term.” The financial terms of the deal were…

Gold has surged above $4,000 (£2,985) an ounce, setting a historic record. Investors are flocking to the precious metal as political tensions and economic uncertainty rattle global markets. The rally marks gold’s strongest rise since the 1970s. Prices have climbed nearly one-third since April, when US President Donald Trump’s tariffs disrupted global trade and unsettled financial systems. US shutdown escalates market anxiety The US government shutdown, now in its second week, is fueling uncertainty in markets worldwide. Analysts say delays in key economic data releases have intensified investor caution. Gold, long regarded as a safe haven, continues to benefit from…

“Half of my life is on this app and now they expect us to pay for it.” That comment reflects the frustration among Snapchat users after the company announced plans to charge for storing old photos and videos. Many say the platform is monetizing nostalgia and betraying loyal users. Users forced to pay for memories In September, Snap, Snapchat’s parent company, revealed that users with more than five gigabytes of saved Memories will need to pay. For many, these images and videos capture years of milestones, friendships, and personal moments, making the change feel like a betrayal. Snap defended the…

The United States has dominated the global technology market for decades. Now China is determined to challenge that dominance. The world’s second-largest economy is investing billions in artificial intelligence and robotics. Its central goal is to produce high-end chips that can compete with the world’s most advanced technology. Last month, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang warned that China was only “nanoseconds behind” the U.S. in chip development. Beijing is racing to narrow the gap and reduce its dependence on imported technology. DeepSeek Highlights China’s AI Progress In 2024, the Chinese startup DeepSeek surprised the tech world by launching a competitor to…