Author: OMN AI

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…

Tesla Faces Declining Demand Tesla experienced a sharp decline in European sales in July, with registrations falling 40% year on year. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) reported that the company registered 8,837 vehicles across the EU, the UK, and the European Free Trade Association, down from 14,769 in July 2024. Even the refreshed Model Y has not been able to halt the slowdown. BYD Accelerates Growth BYD’s sales surged to 13,503 units last month, more than triple the 4,151 recorded a year earlier. Its market share climbed to 1.2%, ahead of Tesla’s 0.8%. The Chinese automaker, known for competitively…

Experts link hotter temperatures and drier conditions to worsening forest fires across Europe. The 2025 wildfire season has already shattered previous records for burned land. Europe Burns Fires have destroyed over one million hectares in the EU, surpassing Corsica’s total area. This year’s burned area exceeds last year’s by more than four times. Authorities have declared over 1,800 forest fires, releasing 38 million tonnes of CO₂. Country Reports Among EU nations, only the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and Malta avoided wildfires. Italy and Romania recorded more than 450 fires each, topping the list. Cyprus reported only three fires, but…

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…

A new study suggests ocean acidification could erode shark teeth, threatening their ability to feed and destabilizing marine ecosystems. Sharks’ rapid tooth replacement usually safeguards their survival, but researchers found that increasingly acidic oceans may damage teeth faster than they can be replaced. The study tested 60 naturally shed blacktip reef shark teeth in seawater tanks simulating current pH levels (8.1) and projected future acidity (7.3). After eight weeks, teeth in the acidic tank showed double the damage, including root corrosion and dulled serrations. Lead author Maximilian Baum from Heinrich Heine University warned this could hinder sharks’ hunting efficiency, especially…

Wild bumblebees actively visit different flowers to balance their intake of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, according to a new study conducted in the Colorado Rockies. Over eight years, ecologists tracked eight species of wild bumblebees, collecting pollen samples from flowers to analyze their macronutrient content. The findings, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, revealed that bees’ dietary choices are closely linked to both seasonal changes in pollen nutrients and the bees’ physical traits. Researchers discovered striking differences in protein levels among flowers, with some containing as little as 17% and others as much as 86%.…

Delivery Rescheduled Sooner Boeing will supply 25 aircraft to the Irish low-cost airline ahead of the original timetable. The 737 MAX jets, first set for delivery next spring, are now expected to arrive in October, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary announced on Wednesday. He praised the planes’ quality as “outstanding” and said he expects U.S. regulators to approve them without delay. Boeing’s Persistent Challenges The company has faced ongoing scrutiny over safety and production problems. The 737 MAX was linked to several serious accidents caused by technical malfunctions, including one incident where a cabin door detached mid-flight. Following these events, U.S.…

Gunfire erupted Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis during a church mass. The shooter fired a rifle through windows and carried a shotgun and pistol. Police confirmed two children, aged eight and ten, died and 17 more suffered injuries. Authorities contained the shooter, who later killed himself, eliminating any active threat to residents. Officials Condemn the Attack Police chief Brian O’Hara called the shooting an act of “sheer cruelty and cowardice.” Governor Tim Walz described the incident as “horrific” and prayed for students and teachers. Children’s Minnesota admitted five young victims, while Hennepin Healthcare treated other injured students.…

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…

Exporters Face Significant Pressure The United States has levied a 50% tariff on Indian imports, affecting industries such as apparel, seafood, and jewelry. The measure is expected to disrupt export businesses and intensify trade tensions between the two nations. Promoting Homegrown Products and Self-Reliance Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on citizens to prioritize Indian-made goods. In his Independence Day speech, he encouraged both businesses and consumers to embrace locally produced items, framing self-sufficiency as a source of national pride and economic stability. Tax Reforms to Encourage Spending To counterbalance the impact, the government is implementing fiscal reforms. Following earlier…