Author: Lester Holt

Tesla’s Sales Slide Tesla saw a steep downturn in European sales in July, with numbers falling 40% year on year. Data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) reported 8,837 Tesla cars registered across the EU, the UK, and the European Free Trade Association, a sharp drop from 14,769 in the same month of 2024. Despite updates to its Model Y, the company continues to struggle against intensifying competition. BYD’s Rapid Growth BYD recorded a surge in demand, with registrations rising to 13,503 vehicles last month, more than tripling the 4,151 from July last year. Its market share climbed to…

Planes Delivered Months in Advance The American aerospace company will provide 25 aircraft to the Irish carrier earlier than initially planned. Instead of next spring, the 737 MAX jets are now scheduled to arrive in October, Ryanair’s chief executive Michael O’Leary stated on Wednesday. He praised Boeing’s performance, describing the planes as “top quality,” and said he was confident U.S. authorities would grant prompt approval. Manufacturer’s Difficult Track Record Boeing has faced years of scrutiny following repeated safety and production issues. The 737 MAX became notorious after several crashes linked to technical failures, with one case involving a door panel…

Exporters Face Major Setback The U.S. has introduced 50% tariffs on goods from India, striking industries that depend on overseas buyers, including apparel, seafood, and jewelry. The increase is expected to damage export revenues and escalate trade disputes between the two countries. Appeal for Domestic Production and Use Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded by encouraging greater reliance on Indian products. During his Independence Day speech, he called on merchants and consumers to showcase and purchase locally made goods, framing the effort as a demonstration of pride and independence. Tax Revisions Designed to Encourage Spending To counter economic pressure, the…

Interest in Renewed North Korea TalksDonald Trump has expressed a desire to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un once again, potentially later this year. Speaking at the White House alongside South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Trump highlighted his past interactions with Kim as positive and conveyed hope for resuming direct negotiations, despite previous meetings failing to produce a lasting nuclear agreement. Proposal for U.S. Control Over Military InstallationsTrump suggested the United States could assume full ownership of the land currently leased for American military bases in South Korea. Citing the considerable U.S. investment in these facilities, he questioned whether…

Opposition Prepares to Block BayrouPrime Minister François Bayrou’s minority government in France is under severe pressure as three major opposition parties have announced they will vote against him in the upcoming confidence motion on September 8. The Socialists have explicitly stated they will not support the government, with party leader Olivier Faure calling any backing “unthinkable.” Both the far-right National Rally and the Greens have also confirmed they will refuse to grant confidence, leaving Bayrou’s administration highly exposed. Fiscal Challenges and Proposed CutsIn an effort to assert control, Bayrou plans to present a comprehensive overview of France’s economic difficulties before…

Rescue attempt in rough waters turns fatal on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast Alexandria, Egypt – A student outing ended in tragedy when seven young people drowned in the Mediterranean Sea west of Alexandria. Around 150 students were at the beach when a female student entered the water on Saturday, ignoring a red flag warning against swimming due to dangerous conditions. She quickly became trapped in the strong waves. Several classmates jumped in to try to save her but were also swept away. Officials reported that six young people between the ages of 15 and 21 died in the incident. On Sunday,…

Ottawa will remove select retaliatory tariffs but maintain levies on vehicles, steel, and aluminium. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Friday that Canada will roll back a portion of its trade retaliation against the United States. While tariffs on cars, steel, and aluminium remain, other duties on American goods will be eliminated beginning September 1. Decision follows missed trade deadline The announcement comes after Carney’s first conversation with President Donald Trump since both nations missed the deadline to finalize a new trade agreement. Previously, Canada imposed a 25% tariff on about C$30bn (£16bn; $21.7bn) of US products, including appliances and orange…

Administration Targets Key Urban Areas President Donald Trump announced plans to extend his federal crime initiative to Chicago and New York, describing Chicago as disorderly and promising similar action in New York. The effort continues a focus on Democratic-led cities with Black mayors, generating criticism from local officials who view the move as politically motivated. Washington Guard Troops to Be Armed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed that National Guard troops in Washington DC will now carry firearms, overturning previous assurances that they would remain unarmed. Roughly 2,000 troops are currently stationed in the capital, including reinforcements from Republican-governed states. Officials…

Tariff reduction tied to EU action The United States will keep its 27.5% duty on European cars in place until the European Union introduces legislation to ease tariffs on American goods. Under the new framework deal, published Thursday, Washington has agreed to lower the levy to 15% once Brussels begins the legislative process. Deal reached at Trump–von der Leyen meeting The agreement was announced on 27 July at Donald Trump’s golf resort in Turnberry, Scotland, after an extended meeting with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. Alongside the car tariff dispute, the framework includes EU commitments to abolish tariffs…

Slow pace of climate pledges As the September deadline looms, Brazil has called on world leaders to submit stronger climate plans. Only a small number of governments have done so, while major contributors to global emissions—including China and the EU—are yet to provide updated pledges. Crucial September meeting On 25 September, Brazil will host a special meeting alongside the UN general assembly in New York. The session aims to gather outstanding nationally determined contributions (NDCs), which will feed into a UN synthesis report assessing global progress toward the Paris Agreement’s 1.5C goal. Leadership appeal from Brazil André Corrêa do Lago,…