Author: Grace Johnson

The US government’s antitrust case against Google has stirred debate worldwide. Not since Microsoft stood trial in 1998 has Big Tech faced such a test. One year after Judge Amit Mehta declared Google a monopolist, he announced remedies that some call weak while others believe could still influence the market. Google keeps its core products During the remedies phase, many expected Judge Mehta to order a breakup. He rejected demands to spin off Chrome, the world’s leading browser. The Justice Department also wanted oversight of Android to stop Google from tightening its grip on search and advertising. Both platforms remained…

Gold has climbed to its highest level ever as investors move their money into secure assets. On Tuesday morning, the spot price rose to $3,508.50 per ounce. The surge extends a rally that has lifted the metal by nearly one third this year. Trade disputes drive momentum Gold thrives during periods of instability. Earlier this year, its value spiked after President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs. The measures disrupted global trade and pushed investors toward safer ground. Analysts also expect the US central bank to cut interest rates, which adds to gold’s attraction. Adrian Ash, research director at BullionVault, said…

Shares of Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD fell by as much as 8% on Monday. The decline came after the company reported weaker profits, pressured by an intensifying price battle in the car industry. Quarterly profits under strain On Friday, BYD revealed net profit of 6.4bn yuan ($900m; £660m) for April to June. That marked a 30% fall compared with the same period last year. The company admitted that heavy discounting across the EV sector has weighed on results. Rivals intensify competition The Shenzhen-based automaker faces tough competition from Nio, XPeng, and US rival Tesla. All have slashed prices to…

Beer drinking in Germany is decreasing, while alcohol-free brews are booming. The federal statistics office reports alcohol-free sales have climbed by 109 percent since 2013. In contrast, overall beer sales have sunk to their lowest point in more than 30 years. For the first time, sales slipped below four billion liters in a half-year span. Between January and June 2025, German breweries sold about 3.9 billion liters. That equals a decline of 6.3 percent, or 262 million liters, compared with the same period in 2024. brewers shift focus to new generations Erdinger brewery near Munich has brewed beer since the…

A US appeals court has declared most tariffs introduced by Donald Trump illegal. The decision delivers a significant blow to his trade agenda and points toward a looming Supreme Court battle. The ruling cancels Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of countries. It also strikes down levies targeting China, Mexico and Canada. Judges say tariffs violate the law The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled 7-4 against Trump. Judges described his tariffs as “invalid as contrary to law”. They rejected his argument that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act gave him authority. The court stressed that tariff powers…

The United States has scrapped a key tariff exemption that for decades allowed cheap goods to enter duty-free. Starting Friday, imports valued at $800 or less will face customs duties and stricter checks. The change will hit millions of parcels arriving daily. In 2023, nearly 1.4 billion shipments worth over $64bn entered without charges under the de minimis rule, customs data shows. Experts say the policy shift will raise costs for shoppers and make life harder for small businesses. Shoe designer Katherine Theobalds, who runs the Buenos Aires-based brand Zou Xou, fears for her company’s future. “It might be the…

Nvidia has posted record earnings driven by the explosive rise of artificial intelligence, even as political tensions cloud its outlook. On Wednesday, the Santa Clara-based firm reported $46.7bn (£34.6bn) in second-quarter revenue, a 56% leap compared with the same period in 2024. Despite the surge, shares slipped in after-hours trading after executives admitted the company was still “working through geopolitical issues”. Nvidia remains at the heart of the trade dispute between Washington and Beijing. Frequent policy shifts from the Trump administration, designed to safeguard US dominance in artificial intelligence, have created further uncertainty. Growing appetite from tech leaders Nvidia’s chips…

South Korea has passed a nationwide law banning smartphones and other smart devices during school hours. The country joins other nations restricting phone use to protect students’ education and wellbeing. The law will take effect in March 2026. Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties supported the measure. They argue it is needed to fight smartphone addiction, which research increasingly links to negative effects. Parents and politicians push for restrictions Supporters say phones disrupt lessons and reduce academic performance. Children spend too much time scrolling instead of studying or socialising. Parents worry devices prevent their children from building friendships or…

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to dismiss Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook immediately. The decision marks a sharp escalation in his conflict with the central bank. Trump argued there was “sufficient reason” to accuse Cook of providing false information in mortgage filings. He cited constitutional powers that he claimed allow him to act. Cook rejected the order, saying the president has no legal authority to remove her. She stressed she would not resign. No president has ever attempted to fire a Federal Reserve governor. Trump’s move follows his criticism of the bank and its chair Jerome Powell. He…

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,…