The United States has terminated a long-standing tariff exemption for low-value goods, altering how Americans shop. Starting Friday, parcels worth $800 or less will no longer enter duty-free and will face stricter customs inspections. Millions of packages daily will be affected. In 2023, 1.4 billion shipments valued at over $64bn entered the US under this rule, according to customs data. Experts warn the change will raise prices, reduce product choice, and challenge small businesses. Katherine Theobalds, founder of Buenos Aires shoe brand Zou Xou, said: “It might be the end for us.” Understanding the de minimis rule Introduced in 1938,…
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.
Nvidia has posted record revenue as artificial intelligence demand surges, even while international tensions threaten its growth. On Wednesday, the Santa Clara-based chipmaker reported $46.7bn (£34.6bn) in second-quarter revenue, a 56% increase compared with the same period in 2024. Despite the strong performance, shares fell 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. Policy changes under the Trump administration, aimed at maintaining US dominance in artificial intelligence, add further uncertainty for the company. AI demand drives record sales Nvidia’s chips have become…
South Korea has passed a law banning smartphones and other smart devices during school hours. The country joins others 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 it. They argue it is needed to combat smartphone addiction, which research increasingly links to negative effects. Parents and lawmakers demand action Supporters say phones disrupt lessons and weaken academic performance. Children spend too much time scrolling instead of studying or socialising. Parents worry devices stop children from forming friendships or engaging in activities. Students remain…
US President Donald Trump has announced he will immediately dismiss Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook. The decision escalates his standoff with the central bank. Trump claimed Cook submitted false information on mortgage documents and argued that constitutional powers give him the authority to remove her. Cook rejected the claim, stressing the president has no legal right to fire her. She confirmed she will not resign. No US president has previously 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 cut interest rates…
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,…
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker condemned President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy troops to Chicago. He called the move an abuse of power. Pritzker argued there is no emergency that warrants the National Guard in Illinois. He accused Trump of fabricating a crisis to justify action. Trump has already stationed about 2,000 troops in Washington DC. The capital’s Democratic leaders oppose the deployment. Trump presents the move as part of a broad crackdown on crime in US cities. On Friday, he announced Chicago and New York could be next. Chicago mayor warns of worsening tensions Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he…
US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick announced on Friday that Washington will purchase a 10% stake in Intel. “This historic agreement strengthens American leadership in semiconductors. It will grow our economy and secure our technological edge,” Lutnick wrote on X. He posted the message with a photo alongside Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan. President Donald Trump confirmed the deal earlier in the Oval Office. He called it “a great deal for them.” Shares of the Santa Clara-based chipmaker jumped more than 5% on Friday. Intel confirmed that the US government will invest $8.9bn (£6.6bn) in its common stock. Grants redirected to…
Elon Musk and his company X have agreed to a settlement with former staff. The workers had sued for $500 million in unpaid severance. The agreement was disclosed in a court filing on Wednesday. Both sides asked the San Francisco appeals court to delay a hearing. They said more time was needed to complete the paperwork. Lawsuit followed massive layoffs The case arose after Musk cut around 6,000 jobs in 2022. That was more than half of the company’s global workforce. Many of the dismissed staff challenged the severance packages in court. So far, lawyers for the employees and representatives…
Sony will lift the price of the PlayStation 5 in the United States by around $50 starting Thursday. The Japanese tech giant faces rising production costs and weaker sales in the global gaming market. Sony executive Isabelle Tomatis explained in a blog post that the company is operating in a “challenging economic environment.” All three versions of the console will see increases. The Pro edition now comes with a retail price of $749.99. Tariffs push costs higher for consumers The move follows tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on several major trade partners, including Japan. These measures have raised concerns…
The Kremlin has dismissed suggestions of an imminent summit between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. At the same time, Donald Trump renewed his call for both leaders to meet and discuss ending the war in Ukraine. The push for direct negotiations came after Trump met Putin in Alaska last week. On Monday, he hosted Zelensky and seven European leaders at the White House. Trump admitted the conflict would be tough to resolve. He also warned that Putin might not want to stop the fighting. “We’re going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks,” he said…