A US appeals court has ruled that most tariffs imposed by Donald Trump are illegal. The decision marks a major setback for his trade policies and sets up a likely Supreme Court showdown. The ruling cancels Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of countries. It also nullifies levies applied to China, Mexico and Canada. Court affirms Congress holds tariff authority In a 7-4 decision, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit called the tariffs “invalid as contrary to law”. Judges rejected Trump’s claim that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act allowed him to act. They emphasized that only Congress…
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.
The United States has ended a long-standing tariff exemption that allowed low-value imports to enter duty-free. From Friday, parcels worth $800 or less will face new customs duties and inspections. Millions of shipments every day will be affected. In 2023, around 1.4 billion packages valued at over $64bn entered the US under this exemption, according to customs data. Experts warn the move will push prices higher, reduce consumer choice, and challenge small businesses. Katherine Theobalds, founder of Buenos Aires shoe brand Zou Xou, said: “It might be the end for us.” How de minimis shaped trade The de minimis exemption,…
Nvidia has posted record revenue as artificial intelligence demand surges, while political friction challenges its growth prospects. On Wednesday, the Santa Clara-based chipmaker reported $46.7bn (£34.6bn) in second-quarter revenue, a 56% increase from the same period in 2024. Despite the strong results, shares fell in after-hours trading after executives acknowledged the company was still “working through geopolitical issues.” Nvidia remains at the center of the trade conflict between Washington and Beijing. Policy shifts under the Trump administration, designed to maintain US dominance in artificial intelligence, add further uncertainty for the company. Tech giants fuel AI growth Nvidia’s advanced chips are…
South Korea has passed a law banning smartphones and other smart devices during school hours. The country joins a growing number of nations restricting 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 necessary to tackle smartphone addiction, which research increasingly links to negative effects. Parents and lawmakers demand action Supporters say phones disrupt lessons and reduce academic performance. Children spend too much time scrolling instead of studying or socialising. Parents worry devices prevent children from forming friendships or participating…
US President Donald Trump has announced he will immediately remove Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook from her post. The move intensifies his confrontation with the central bank. Trump claimed there was “sufficient reason” to accuse Cook of submitting false information on mortgage paperwork. He cited constitutional authority he said gives him the power to act. Cook rejected the claim, insisting the president lacks the legal right to dismiss her. She stated she will not resign. No US president has previously attempted to fire a Federal Reserve governor. Trump’s action follows months of criticism toward the Fed and its chair Jerome…
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 send troops to Chicago. He said the decision is an abuse of power. Pritzker insisted no emergency justifies bringing the National Guard into Illinois. He accused Trump of fabricating a crisis for political ends. Trump already deployed about 2,000 troops to Washington DC. The capital’s Democratic leadership has opposed the move. Trump frames the deployment as part of a wider fight against crime in American cities. On Friday, he said Chicago and New York could be the next targets. Chicago mayor rejects federal interference Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he…
US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick announced on Friday that Washington will acquire a 10% stake in Intel. “This historic agreement strengthens American leadership in semiconductors. It will grow our economy and protect our technological edge,” Lutnick wrote on X. He attached a photo of himself with Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan. President Donald Trump confirmed the deal earlier in the Oval Office. He described it as “a great deal for them.” Shares of the Santa Clara-based chipmaker rose 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 reached a settlement with former employees. The group of staff had sued for $500 million in unpaid severance. The deal was revealed in a court filing on Wednesday. Both sides asked the San Francisco appeals court to postpone a hearing. They said they needed extra time to finalize the paperwork. Legal fight began after mass job cuts The dispute started after Musk dismissed about 6,000 staff in 2022. That represented more than half of the workforce. Many of those affected filed lawsuits against the company over severance. Lawyers for the workers and representatives…
Sony will raise the price of the PlayStation 5 in the US by about $50 starting Thursday. The Japanese company faces growing expenses and weaker demand in the gaming industry. Sony executive Isabelle Tomatis explained in a blog post that the firm is navigating a “challenging economic environment.” All three models of the console will cost more. The Pro edition will now be sold at $749.99. Tariffs drive up consumer prices The increase follows tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump on several trade partners, including Japan. These tariffs sparked fears of higher costs for buyers. Tomatis said: “We made the…
