Author: Grace Johnson

Donald Trump has turned to the US Supreme Court to protect his tariff program. He wants the justices to overturn a ruling that struck down his sweeping trade duties as illegal. Battle over presidential authority The administration filed its petition on Wednesday night. It asks the court to quickly decide whether a president can impose tariffs without Congress. Last week, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 7-4 against Trump. Judges said the power to set import duties belongs solely to Congress. Billions at risk The case could derail Trump’s trade and foreign policy plans. It may also force the…

The US government’s antitrust case against Google has drawn attention worldwide. Not since Microsoft faced trial in 1998 has Big Tech faced such pressure. One year after Judge Amit Mehta declared Google a monopolist, he announced remedies that some critics call weak, while others believe could still influence the market. Chrome and Android remain untouched During the remedies phase, many expected a dramatic breakup. Judge Mehta rejected demands to spin off Chrome, the world’s most popular browser. The Justice Department also sought oversight of Android to prevent Google from reinforcing its control over search and advertising. Both platforms survived intact.…

Gold has climbed to its highest level ever as investors turn to safe assets in turbulent times. On Tuesday morning, the spot price rose to $3,508.50 per ounce. The surge has lifted the metal by nearly a third since the start of the year. Trade disputes add fuel to rally Gold often strengthens when markets face instability. Earlier this year, prices rose sharply after President Donald Trump introduced sweeping tariffs. The measures unsettled global trade and boosted demand for security. Analysts also expect the US central bank to cut interest rates, increasing gold’s appeal. Adrian Ash, research director at BullionVault,…

Shares of Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD fell by as much as 8% on Monday. The decline followed weaker profits, squeezed by a brutal price war in the domestic market. Quarterly profits under pressure On Friday, BYD announced net profit of 6.4bn yuan ($900m; £660m) for April to June. That figure was down 30% compared with the same period last year. The company admitted that intensified price competition across the EV sector has hurt performance. Rivals deepen the struggle The Shenzhen-based carmaker competes with local challengers Nio and XPeng, alongside Tesla from the US. All have slashed prices to secure…

Beer consumption in Germany is declining, while alcohol-free options are surging. 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 fell 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 decrease of 6.3 percent, or 262 million liters, compared with the same period in 2024. breweries target younger consumers The Erdinger brewery near Munich has been producing beer…

A US appeals court has ruled that most tariffs imposed by Donald Trump are illegal. The decision delivers a significant setback to his trade agenda and sets up a likely Supreme Court battle. The ruling cancels Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of countries. It also overturns levies applied to China, Mexico and Canada. Court rules Congress holds tariff authority In a 7-4 decision, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit declared Trump’s tariffs “invalid as contrary to law”. Judges rejected his argument that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act gave him authority. They emphasized that only Congress has…

The United States has scrapped its long-standing tariff exemption for low-cost imports, a move set to reshape shopping. From Friday, parcels valued at $800 or less will no longer be duty-free and must clear stricter customs checks. Millions of shipments will be affected each day. In 2023, more than 1.4 billion packages worth over $64bn entered America under this exemption, customs figures show. Experts warn prices will rise, options will shrink, and small businesses may struggle to survive. Buenos Aires shoemaker Katherine Theobalds fears for her brand Zou Xou. “It might be the end for us,” she said. The story…

Nvidia continues to smash records as artificial intelligence reshapes the tech industry, though international disputes cast a shadow over its future. On Wednesday, the Santa Clara-based chipmaker reported $46.7bn (£34.6bn) in revenue for the second quarter, a 56% increase from the same period in 2024. Despite the strong earnings, shares slipped in after-hours trading after executives admitted the company was still “working through geopolitical issues”. Nvidia remains caught in the escalating trade battle between Washington and Beijing. Frequent policy shifts from the Trump administration, aimed at keeping the US ahead in artificial intelligence, create further uncertainty for the company. Rising…

South Korea has passed a law banning smartphones and other smart devices during school hours. The country joins a growing list of nations limiting phone use to protect students’ learning and wellbeing. The law will take effect in March 2026. Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties supported the measure. They say it is necessary to curb smartphone addiction, which research increasingly links to harmful effects. Parents and lawmakers push for action Supporters argue phones disrupt lessons and harm academic performance. Children spend too much time scrolling instead of studying or socialising. Parents worry devices stop their children from building…

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to dismiss Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook immediately. The decision marks a dramatic escalation in his clash with the central bank. Trump alleged Cook made false claims on mortgage documents and insisted the constitution gives him authority to remove her. Cook swiftly rejected the claim, stressing that the president lacks such power. She declared she would not resign. No American president has ever attempted to fire a Federal Reserve governor. Trump’s action comes after months of criticism of the Fed and its chair Jerome Powell, whom he blames for not cutting rates fast…