Gold has surged to an all-time high as global uncertainty drives demand for secure assets. On Tuesday morning, the spot price climbed to $3,508.50 per ounce. The rally has lifted the metal by nearly a third since the start of the year. Trade tensions push prices higher Gold often gains value when markets face instability. Earlier this year, its price jumped after President Donald Trump introduced sweeping tariffs. The measures disrupted global trade and encouraged investors to seek stability. Analysts also expect the US central bank to lower interest rates, adding to gold’s appeal. Adrian Ash, research director at BullionVault,…
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.
Shares of Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD fell by up to 8% on Monday. The drop followed weaker earnings, driven by fierce price competition in the domestic car market. Earnings hit by aggressive pricing On Friday, BYD reported net profit of 6.4bn yuan ($900m; £660m) for April to June. That was 30% lower than the same period last year. The company said intense price competition among EV brands had weighed heavily on results. Rivals intensify market battle The Shenzhen-based automaker now competes with Nio, XPeng, and Tesla. All have cut prices sharply to attract buyers. BYD shares opened lower in…
Beer consumption in Germany is falling, while alcohol-free options are reaching record highs. The federal statistics office reports sales of alcohol-free beer have increased by 109 percent since 2013. At the same time, overall beer sales are at their lowest level in more than 30 years. For the first time, total sales dropped below four billion liters in a half-year period. Between January and June 2025, breweries sold about 3.9 billion liters. That marks a decline of 6.3 percent, or 262 million liters, compared with the same period in 2024. breweries respond to changing tastes The Erdinger brewery near Munich…
A US appeals court has ruled that most tariffs imposed by Donald Trump are unlawful. The decision represents a major setback for his trade policies and points toward a Supreme Court showdown. The ruling cancels Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs applied to dozens of countries. It also overturns levies on China, Mexico and Canada. Judges affirm Congress controls tariffs In a 7-4 decision, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit declared the tariffs “invalid as contrary to law”. The court rejected Trump’s claim that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act gave him authority. Judges emphasized that only Congress has the…
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,…
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…