Author: Grace Johnson

Donald Trump has asked the US Supreme Court to step in and defend his tariff policy. He seeks to overturn a ruling that struck down his sweeping import duties as unlawful. Contest over presidential power The administration filed its petition on Wednesday night. It urges the court to rule quickly on whether a president can impose tariffs without Congress. Last week, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 7-4 against Trump. Judges insisted that tariff-setting authority belongs to Congress alone. Billions on the line The case threatens Trump’s trade and foreign policy ambitions. It could also force the US to…

The US government’s case against Google’s dominance in search has commanded global attention. Not since Microsoft faced trial in 1998 has Big Tech felt such risk. One year after Judge Amit Mehta branded Google a monopolist, he delivered remedies that critics call soft yet others see as consequential. Chrome and Android survive the ruling During the remedies phase, many expected drastic measures. Judge Mehta dismissed calls to spin off Chrome, the most used browser worldwide. The Justice Department also wanted oversight of Android to stop it from reinforcing Google’s grip on search and advertising. Both platforms remained untouched. “These products…

Gold has surged to a historic record as global tensions drive investors toward secure assets. On Tuesday morning, the spot price climbed to $3,508.50 per ounce. The rally has lifted gold by nearly a third since the start of the year. Trade disputes push prices higher Gold thrives in times of economic stress. Earlier this year, its value jumped after President Donald Trump introduced sweeping tariffs. The measures unsettled global trade and encouraged investors to seek stability. Analysts also expect the US central bank to cut interest rates, adding to gold’s attraction. Adrian Ash, research director at BullionVault, said Trump’s…

Shares of Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD dropped by up to 8% on Monday. The decline followed weaker earnings, pressured by fierce price cutting across the industry. Quarterly results reveal decline On Friday, BYD reported net profit of 6.4bn yuan ($900m; £660m) for April to June. The result showed a 30% fall compared with the same quarter last year. The company admitted that stronger price competition has weighed heavily on the EV sector. Rivals push harder in crowded field The Shenzhen-based automaker faces rivals Nio and XPeng, as well as Tesla. All have lowered prices to attract buyers. BYD shares…

Beer consumption in Germany is falling, while alcohol-free varieties are reaching new highs. The federal statistics office reports sales of alcohol-free beer have grown by 109 percent since 2013. In contrast, overall beer sales are now at their lowest level in more than 30 years. For the first time, 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 equals a decline of 6.3 percent, or 262 million liters, compared with the same period last year. breweries chase new opportunities Erdinger brewery near Munich has been in…

A US appeals court has ruled that most tariffs imposed by Donald Trump were unlawful. The decision delivers a sharp setback to his trade agenda and sets up a likely Supreme Court confrontation. The judgement invalidates Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs targeting dozens of countries. It also blocks levies against major partners such as China, Mexico and Canada. Judges deny Trump tariff powers In a 7-4 ruling, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit declared the tariffs “invalid as contrary to law”. The judges rejected Trump’s reliance on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. They stated that the authority to…

The United States has ended a decades-old tariff exemption that helped fuel trade in low-cost goods. From Friday, imports valued at $800 or less will no longer be duty-free and will face stricter customs checks. The move will impact millions of packages every day. In 2023, nearly 1.4 billion parcels worth more than $64bn entered the US duty-free under the de minimis rule. Experts warn the change will hit small businesses hardest and push prices higher, leaving shoppers with fewer options. “I’ve reached the point of acceptance, but when I first heard the news, I thought it could end my…

Nvidia continues to surge as worldwide demand for artificial intelligence grows, even as international disputes threaten its progress. On Wednesday, the chip designer reported revenue of $46.7bn (£34.6bn) for the second quarter, up 56% compared with the same period last year. Despite the strong earnings, shares dipped in after-hours trading after executives admitted the company was still “working through geopolitical issues”. Nvidia remains caught in the escalating trade conflict between Washington and Beijing. Shifting US policies under the Trump administration, designed to protect America’s lead in artificial intelligence, add more pressure on the firm’s outlook. Chip demand fuels rapid expansion…

South Korea has approved a law banning smartphones and other smart devices in classrooms. The country follows a growing global trend restricting phone use among children and teenagers. The law will come into force in March 2026. Lawmakers from both government and opposition supported the decision. They argue it is needed to tackle smartphone addiction, which research increasingly links to harmful consequences. Parents and lawmakers push for limits Supporters say phones distract from lessons and reduce academic results. They argue children spend too much time scrolling instead of studying or socialising. Parents fear smartphones stop their children from developing friendships…

US President Donald Trump has declared he will remove Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook from office immediately. The move escalates his battle with the central bank to new levels. Trump argued there was “sufficient reason” to accuse Cook of submitting false mortgage information. He cited constitutional authority he claimed empowered him to act. Cook rejected the decision, insisting the president lacked the power to dismiss her. She vowed she would not resign. No president has ever attempted to fire a Federal Reserve governor. Trump’s step follows his repeated attacks on the bank and its chair Jerome Powell. He has long…