Author: Grace Johnson

Asian markets rose on Thursday as investors extended this week’s rally. The gains came after fresh data from the United States strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve may begin a new cycle of interest rate cuts. In recent months, markets worldwide have surged to record or near-record levels. Optimism has grown that the Fed could return to monetary easing to support the economy, which shows signs of slowing. Investors now expect more rate cuts, building confidence across equities. Last week, US job creation figures came in far below forecasts. A separate report revealed that more than 900,000 fewer new jobs…

The death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has shaken the United States, sparking a political firestorm and a nationwide conversation on violence in public life. Kirk, co-founder of the youth group Turning Point USA, was shot and killed during a campus event in Utah on Wednesday. He was answering a student’s question about gun violence when a single shot rang out from the crowd, ending his life instantly. Authorities say the attacker managed to escape in the chaos that followed, prompting a massive search. Police officers and federal agents have been going door-to-door in nearby neighborhoods, using helicopters and drones…

Donald Trump urges the European Union to introduce tariffs of up to 100 percent on China and India. He hopes to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin and force an end to the war in Ukraine. Trump calls for tougher stance on Russia The US president made his appeal during a meeting with EU officials on Tuesday. Both sides discussed new ways to weaken Russia’s economy further. According to a source, Trump pressed for the highest possible tariffs on China and India. He had pledged to end the conflict on the “first day” of his presidency. Yet peace talks between Moscow…

Shutdown extended in UK and abroad Jaguar Land Rover will keep its UK factories closed until at least Wednesday. The company is still grappling with the aftermath of a cyber attack that struck more than a week ago. Production at Halewood, Solihull and Wolverhampton remains suspended. Sites in Slovakia, China and India also remain offline. Staff on the production lines have been told to stay home. The company shut down its IT systems on 31 August to protect them from damage. The move caused heavy disruption. Efforts to restart systems Jaguar Land Rover says it is working continuously to restore…

Microsoft announced that its Azure cloud platform faced disruptions after several undersea cables in the Red Sea were cut. The company said users noticed delays as internet traffic through the Middle East slowed. Microsoft secures alternative connections Microsoft did not disclose the cause of the cable damage but confirmed that it redirected traffic via other routes. It underlined that regions outside the Middle East were not affected. Reports over the weekend suggested that the disruption also hit the United Arab Emirates and parts of Asia. Ocean cables remain crucial for global internet Cables placed on the ocean floor carry most…

Ludrick Cooper, an eighth-grade teacher in South Carolina, once resisted artificial intelligence in class. He later changed his mind. “This is the new encyclopedia,” Cooper said, recalling his childhood love of reading reference books. He now joins many teachers who weave AI into lesson plans. This shows how rapidly AI tools gain ground in schools, even as benefits and risks remain uncertain. A study by the Walton Family Foundation and Gallup found six in ten teachers used AI tools during the 2024-2025 school year. On Tuesday, First Lady Melania Trump unveiled the Presidential AI Challenge. The program encourages students from…

Elon Musk, the richest person alive, may soon achieve a milestone no one has reached. Tesla’s board unveiled a historic pay deal for its chief executive. The move seeks to secure his focus on the company while it battles serious challenges. The package offers Musk a massive stock reward if Tesla’s valuation climbs far above current levels. His last deal drew skepticism but Tesla achieved the bold targets it required. A trillion within reach The new plan could hand Musk 423.7 million Tesla shares. At today’s stock price, they equal $143.5 billion. He would receive them only if Tesla’s stock…

Jaguar Land Rover has told factory workers to remain at home until Tuesday as it struggles with the impact of a cyber attack. The breach over the weekend forced the carmaker to shut down crucial IT systems. That action disrupted production and car sales. Operations have stopped at factories in Halewood, Solihull, and Wolverhampton. Managers continue to review the crisis and warn shutdowns may last longer. production and sales suffer heavy blow Car sales have been heavily affected, though some transactions still went through, according to people close to the matter. Jaguar Land Rover, owned by India’s Tata Motors, switched…

Donald Trump has turned to the US Supreme Court in a last attempt to defend his tariffs. He seeks to overturn a ruling that branded his wide-ranging trade duties illegal. Dispute over limits of power The administration filed its petition on Wednesday evening. It urges the justices to rule swiftly on whether a president can unilaterally impose import duties. The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 7-4 last week against Trump. Judges declared that setting tariffs is a central power of Congress. Economic stakes are high The case threatens to unravel Trump’s economic and foreign policy agenda. It could also…

The US government’s challenge to Google’s dominance in online search has drawn intense global attention. Not since Microsoft faced trial in 1998 has Big Tech confronted such a serious threat. A year after Judge Amit Mehta declared Google a monopolist, he announced remedies that some call weak while others believe could matter. Chrome and Android remain untouched During the remedies phase, many expected Google might face a breakup. Judge Mehta rejected the push to spin off Chrome, the world’s most popular browser. The Justice Department also wanted oversight of Android to stop it from reinforcing Google’s search and ad power.…