โ๏ธ28-April-2025: The US ๐บ๐ธ trade war with China ๐จ๐ณ is shaking the foundations of the global economy. Donald Trump's higher tariffs ๐ โ hailed as 'Liberation Day' โ are now being blamed for a sharp drop in trade volumes and economic strain. ๐ According to Torsten Slรธk, CEO of Apollo Global Management, companies are seeing falling new orders ๐, slashed investment plans ๐ผ, and downward revisions of earnings ๐. Meanwhile, consumer confidence ๐ is sinking, with tourism ๐ notably slowing. โ๏ธ
Slรธk warns that a "stagflation shock" โก๏ธ is brewing, with supply chain delays ๐ข leading to empty store shelves ๐๏ธ and looming layoffs in trucking ๐ and retail ๐ฌ. With 9 million trucking jobs and 16 million retail jobs at risk ๐, the US economy faces major downside threats. The Port of Los Angeles ๐ข anticipates a 33% drop in arrivals ๐ฆ๐ this May compared to last year, a direct blow from the 145% tariffs imposed.
Amidst this turmoil, Trump ๐บ๐ธ has boasted of securing "200 deals" ๐ค๐ฃ๏ธ โ a claim Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent downplays as "sub deals" within broader negotiations. Talks with 17 key trading partners ๐ are ongoing, with some progress especially in Asia ๐น๐ญ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ป๐ณ. Meanwhile, shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd reports 30% of Chinese shipments to the US have been canceled, and there's a "massive increase" in orders from Thailand ๐น๐ญ, Cambodia ๐ฐ๐ญ, and Vietnam ๐ป๐ณ instead. ๐
#TradeWar #USChina #GlobalEconomy #Tariffs #BusinessNews #LogisticsCrisis #TrumpTrade #AsiaTradeShift ๐บ๐ธ๐จ๐ณ๐๐ข
Fast-fashion fans in the US ๐บ๐ธ are feeling the heat ๐ฅ of the trade war! Shein, the Chinese ๐จ๐ณ retail giant, has sharply raised prices ๐ โ some by a jaw-dropping 377% ๐ โ as new tariffs loom over small parcels. According to Bloomberg ๐ฐ, beauty and health products ๐๐ saw an average price hike of 51%, home and kitchen goods ๐ด jumped over 30%, and womenโs clothing ๐ climbed by 8%. A 10-piece set of kitchen towels now costs nearly four times more! ๐งบ๐ธ
This sudden surge follows Donald Trumpโs ๐บ๐ธ move to scrap the "de minimis" exemption โ๏ธ, which had allowed tax-free imports under $800. The tariff tsunami ๐ is forcing Shein and other retailers to adjust their US strategies dramatically. ๐๐ฅ
Meanwhile, China ๐จ๐ณ is standing firm against economic pressure ๐ช. Zhao Chenxin, vice chair of the National Development and Reform Commission ๐, announced with confidence that China's 2025 growth target of around 5% ๐ฏ remains within reach. Speaking at a press conference ๐ค, Zhao emphasized new policies would roll out this quarter to adapt to global changes ๐, stating: "We will anchor our development goals and focus on doing our own thing." ๐๐ฏ
#Shein #TradeWar #USChinaTensions #Tariffs #FastFashion #ChinaGrowth #GlobalEconomy ๐บ๐ธ๐จ๐ณ๐๏ธ๐
28-April-2025: Marks & Spencer ๐ฌ๐ง is leading the FTSE 100 ๐ losers this morning, as the ripple effects of a major cyber attack ๐ continue to shake the retail giant. M&S shares have dropped 2.3% today to 376p ๐ท, adding to a brutal 8% slide since Easter ๐ฃ. The company halted all online and app orders ๐ต on Friday, urging customers to shop in-store instead ๐๏ธ๐ฌ.
The cyber incident, which began on Easter Monday, crippled contactless payments ๐ณ and click-and-collect services ๐๐ across UK stores, leaving shoppers frustrated. Susannah Streeter from Hargreaves Lansdown warns ๐ข the disruption is particularly damaging, as M&Sโs success had hinged on its efficient multi-channel strategy ๐. Fashion sales ๐๐ could take a hard hit, especially during the warm weather spell ๐ when summer collections usually spike.
While other retailers have also faced IT troubles, the depth of M&Sโs ongoing issues is alarming ๐จ โ and rebuilding customer trust may take longer than expected. โณ๐
#MarksAndSpencer #CyberAttack #RetailCrisis #FTSE100 #UKRetail #ClickAndCollect #MSShares #CyberSecurity ๐ฌ๐ง๐๐
28-April-2025: The UK ๐ฌ๐ง economy is bracing for a sharp slowdown, with EY Item Club slashing its GDP forecast ๐ to just 0.8% for 2025, down from 1% earlier this year. Consumer confidence has plunged to a record low ๐, with an Ipsos Mori poll showing three-quarters of Britons expect the economy to worsen ๐. Only 7% believe brighter days are ahead ๐ฆ๏ธ.
Donald Trumpโs ๐บ๐ธ global tariff war โ๏ธ is taking its toll, impacting not just exports (16% of UK goods head to the US ๐ฆ) but also sapping consumer spending and freezing business investments ๐. Major tariffsโ10% baseline and up to 25% for cars, steel, and aluminium ๐๐ฉโare pushing UK businesses to rethink strategies and explore new markets ๐.
Bright spots? โจ Nearly 40% of mid-sized UK businesses are aiming to expand exports ๐, with Asia ๐, Africa ๐, Australia ๐ฆ๐บ, and EU nations ๐ช๐บ becoming top targets. Richard Austin from BDO says Britain's ambitious businesses, generating ยฃ130bn in overseas revenue last year ๐ท, remain a critical engine for economic growth ๐ despite global headwinds.
Meanwhile, tech giants like Apple ๐ are reshuffling global operations, shifting iPhone production to India ๐ฎ๐ณ to dodge tariff risks. The global economic landscape ๐ is shifting โ and the UK must adapt quickly to stay afloat. โต
#UKEconomy #TrumpTariffs #GDP #EYForecast #BritishBusiness #GlobalTrade #ExportGrowth #EconomicOutlook #UKGrowth ๐ฌ๐ง๐๐บ๐ธ๐
๐ฅ23-April-2025: In a fiery White House press conference, US President Donald Trump ๐บ๐ธ announced that the towering 145% tariffs on Chinese ๐จ๐ณ imports will be reduced โsubstantiallyโ โ but wonโt vanish entirely. The president insisted, โWeโre doing fine with China,โ amid rising global economic jitters and domestic inflation woes. ๐๐ธ
๐ฌ Trumpโs comments came just hours after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the aggressive trade war strategy was unsustainable and hinted at a de-escalation. ๐ The market responded quickly, with the S&P 500 jumping 2.5% ๐ after Bessentโs remarks were leaked. But Trump brushed off the notion of a policy reversal, maintaining his MAGA-brand protectionist stance. ๐งข๐บ๐ธ
Despite the economic turbulence, Trump claimed heโd be โvery niceโ to Chinese President Xi Jinping ๐ค while ensuring America gets a fair trade shake. However, Beijing wasnโt exactly buying the olive branch. ๐ On Chinese social media ๐จ๐ณ, hashtags like #TrumpAdmittedDefeat trended, while state media labeled his policy โpopulist protectionismโ destabilizing the global trade order. ๐๐ซ
Meanwhile, Chinaโs commerce ministry warned third-party nations ๐งพ to avoid deals with the US that โharm Chinaโs interests,โ while Korean reports claimed Beijing is pressuring companies not to aid American military contractors using Chinese minerals. ๐งช๐ง
Still, the Trump administration says 18 countries are eager to ink new trade deals โ๏ธ. But confusion reigns, especially after Trumpโs cryptic remarks about possibly firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell ๐ โ only to later retract them. ๐คฏ
๐ผ As the tariff saga continues, analysts wonder if Trumpโs brinkmanship will yield trade peace โฎ๏ธ or spark a new round of global economic tensions. One thingโs for sure: the world is watching. ๐๐
#TrumpTariffs #TradeWar #USChina #GlobalTrade ๐ #WhiteHouse #MAGA #Economy #TariffTalks #TrumpNews #XiJinping ๐บ๐ธ๐จ๐ณ
23-April-2025: Elon Musk ๐ has announced he will start stepping back from his role in the "Department of Government Efficiency" ๐๏ธโnicknamed "Doge"โstarting in May, after a rough quarter for Tesla ๐. The move comes as the company reported a staggering 71% drop in profits, sparking investor concerns and analyst speculation that Musk's political entanglements under the ๐บ๐ธ Trump administration have dented Teslaโs brand image. #TeslaTrouble #ElonExit #WhiteHouseDoge
"Starting probably next month, May, my time allocation to Doge will drop significantly," Musk said, citing that the mission to fix the government's "financial house" was largely complete. He plans to reduce his White House work to 1-2 days a week and formally exit on May 30 ๐๏ธโthe end of his 130-day cap as a special government employee. ๐บ๐ธ
Meanwhile, Teslaโs Q1 2025 earnings showed a grim picture: revenue fell 9% YoY to $19.3B, with profits crashing to $409Mโdown from $1.39B last year. Vehicle deliveries plummeted 13%, totaling just 336,681 carsโthe worst performance since 2022. ๐ฅ #EVMarket #TeslaCrash #MuskEffect
Despite the downturn, Musk remained upbeat, pointing to Teslaโs future in AI-powered robots and full self-driving cars ๐ค. โThis is the happiest future you can imagine,โ he claimed, predicting Robotaxi rollouts in June and fully autonomous Teslas in US cities by yearโs end. #Robotaxi #AutonomousDrive #TechHope ๐บ๐ธ๐
Analysts, however, suggest the damage from Muskโs White House role may be lasting. ๐บ๐ธ Teslaโs stock is down 50%, resale values are dropping, Cybertrucks are being recalled (46,000 units ๐จ), and even protests led to the brand being pulled from the ๐จ๐ฆ Vancouver International Auto Show. #BrandBacklash #TeslaDownturn #EVProtests ๐จ๐ฆ
"Muskโs return to Tesla full-time is the only path to rebuilding investor confidence," noted Wedbush Securities ๐. Their warning? โIf Musk chooses to stay with the Trump White House, it could change the future of Teslaโbrand damage will grow.โ #ElonReturns #TeslaCEO #WedbushWarning
Tesla has withheld guidance for Q2, citing โshifting global trade policyโ ๐ and the fragile macroeconomic climate. Musk insists the demand drop is economic, not reputationalโthough many investors remain skeptical. #EVForecast #GlobalTrade #Tesla2025 ๐
21-April-2025: In a ๐ rhythm-shifting twist, TikTok has crowned a new sound king for 2024 โ #ElectronicMusic! ๐ With a staggering 13 billion views ๐, videos tagged with #ElectronicMusicโincluding house, techno, and dance beatsโoutpaced both indie and hip-hop for the first time ever! ๐๐ฅ
๐ต UK ๐ฌ๐ง and global users are vibing to electronic beats in fitness, fashion, travel, and summer recaps, marking a 45% surge from 2023. The number of videos created with the hashtag even skyrocketed by over 100%! ๐ฌ๐ TikTok's own Toyin Mustapha credits stars like Disclosure, Joel Corry, Fred Again, and Jazzy (Irelandโs ๐ฎ๐ช chart-topper) for taking electronic music mainstreamโand the crowd agrees. ๐๐ฝ
From Hannah Laing's "queen of doof" energy ๐ ๐ฝ to Billy Gillies' chart-friendly hits like "DNA (Loving You)" โค๏ธ๐งฌ, TikTok has become the launchpad for DJs turned global stars. While #Indie and #HipHop still boast bigger overall numbers, the tide is turningโespecially as festival bookings and chart-toppers now favor the beat drop. ๐๏ธ๐
Even Spotify ๐ป confirmed the trend: dance/electronic streams have grown 18% yearly since 2000, and drumโnโbass alone rose 94% since 2021. ๐ฃ๐ถ Meanwhile, a dose of nostalgia is brewing, with 20 out of TikTokโs top 50 global tracks in 2024 coming from old-school catalogsโhello Alphavilleโs Forever Young and Sadeโs Kiss of Life ๐๐ต.
So while Oasis ๐ง๐ธ and the indie crowd may return for a summer boom (#OasisReunion hit 100M views ๐ฌ๐ง๐ซ), the electronic revolution is clearly in full swing!
#TikTokBeats #HouseMusic #TechnoTakeover #MusicTrends2024 #FredAgain #DanceFloorDomination #UKMusicScene ๐ฌ๐ง #ForeverYoung ๐ #DigitalDanceWave
18-April-2025: In an early-morning Truth Social post, President Donald Trump slammed Fed Chair Jerome Powell as โalways too late and wrongโ on US interest rates and declared Powell โwould resign if I asked him to.โ Trumpโs salvo challenges the Federal Reserveโs independence and insists Powellโs termination โcannot come fast enough.โ #Trump #Fed #Powell #InterestRates ๐บ๐ธ
Trump highlighted the European Central Bankโs seventh rate cut of the year to boost growthโwithout noting those cuts respond to uncertainty from his own tariff blitz. ECB President Christine Lagarde warned the eurozone outlook is โclouded by exceptional uncertainty.โ #ECB #Lagarde #Eurozone #Tariffs ๐ช๐บ
Despite Trumpโs monthsโlong pressure, the Fed has held rates at 4.25โ4.50% since January. Powell has cautioned that sweeping tariffs could fuel inflation, complicating the Fedโs dual mandate of price stability and maximum employment. #Inflation #DualMandate #USEconomy ๐
On Fox Business, New York Fed President John Williams echoed Powellโs caution: โI donโt see any need to change the Fed funds rate any time soon,โ stressing the importance of gathering more economic data before adjusting policy. #NYFed #EconomicData #MonetaryPolicy ๐
Insiders tell Politico Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned firing Powell risks market turmoil, while Evercore ISI analysts sound the alarm on stagflation if Fed independence is threatened. Eyes remain on this highโstakes clash between the White House and central bank. #MarketStability #Stagflation #FinancialRisk ๐
18-April-2025: In a historic legal blow to tech giant Google ๐, a US federal judge has ruled that the company illegally monopolized two critical markets in the online advertising space โ ๐ publisher ad servers and ad exchanges. ๐บ๐ธ Judge Leonie Brinkema in Alexandria, Virginia, declared that Google willfully acquired and maintained monopoly power, paving the way for the Justice Department to potentially break up parts of its advertising empire. ๐จ
The ruling is a major win for US antitrust regulators โ๏ธ who argue that Google unfairly dominated the digital ad landscape through acquisitions, lock-ins, and control over ad transactions. However, the court found no monopoly in the advertiser ad networks space. โ๐งโโ๏ธ
๐ข Googleโs VP of regulatory affairs, Lee-Anne Mulholland, responded, โWe won half of this case and we will appeal the other half,โ claiming their ad tools remain competitive and user-friendly. ๐๐งฉ
A separate trial will determine what remedies must be applied โ possibly forcing Google to divest parts of its ad tech business like Google Ad Manager ๐ช๐. Google now faces multiple legal fronts, including a separate court case next week on Chrome and search dominance. ๐๐งจ
๐ All eyes are on the next chapter in this high-stakes tech showdown that could redefine online advertising forever. ๐ง ๐ #Google #Antitrust #AdTech #USLaw #Monopoly #DigitalAds #TechNews #USA ๐บ๐ธ #AlphabetInc #JusticeDepartment
17-April-2025: Fast-fashion giants Temu and Shein are pulling back from their aggressive US ad campaigns ๐ฒ๐ฅ after Donald Trump axed the โde minimisโ exemptionโa rule that previously allowed goods under $800 from ๐จ๐ณ China and ๐ญ๐ฐ Hong Kong to enter the ๐บ๐ธ US tariff-free. As of May 2nd, even the smallest online sales are getting taxed, squeezing profit margins and shaking up e-commerce economics.
#TemuTrouble ๐ฆ | #SheinShock ๐งฅ | #TariffTakedown ๐ฃ | #TrumpTradeMove ๐บ๐ธ | #DeMinimisNoMore โ | #EcommerceShift ๐ | #FastFashionFalter ๐ซ๐
From TikTok to YouTube, Temu slashed its average US ad spend by 31% across six platforms, including Facebook and Instagram ๐ฑ๐. Shein followed suit with a 19% cut on major social sites. The once high-rolling ad budgets have shrunk as both brands prepare to raise prices next week to survive the tariff tide ๐ธ๐.
#AdSpendingSlump ๐ฐ๐ | #SocialMediaSlowdown ๐ค | #MarketingMeltdown ๐ข๐ซ | #ShopperShock ๐๏ธ๐ฌ | #PriceHikesAhead ๐ตโฌ๏ธ
Consumers used to dirt-cheap deals may feel the pinch soon. With costs rising due to Trumpโs executive order, Temu and Shein are preparing to bump up product prices ๐จ๐ฒ. This comes amid growing global trade tensions and renewed efforts to curb Chinese imports by tightening loopholes in international commerce ๐๐.
#CheckoutShock ๐๐ข | #TariffEffect ๐ฅ | #FashionCostsMore ๐๐ฐ | #USChinaTradeWarReloaded ๐ฆ ๐ | #GlobalCommerceClash ๐โ๏ธ
17-April-2025: Starting Friday, Venice ๐ฎ๐น is reviving its controversial โฌ5 tourist entry fee ๐ถ โ but with a twist: those booking within 3 days of arrival will now pay โฌ10! ๐ฑ The move, designed to tackle overtourism ๐, comes after last year's pilot unexpectedly raked in โฌ2.4 million ๐ฐ. The fee applies on 54 busy dates between April 18 and July 27 ๐๏ธ, primarily weekends, and is enforceable between 8:30am and 4pm ๐.
Tourists will receive a QR code ๐ฒ that must be shown at key entry points like Venezia Santa Lucia station ๐. Exceptions apply for overnight visitors, Veneto locals, and children under 14 ๐ถ. However, even hotel guests must register their visit online ๐ป.
Despite strong resistance from locals ๐ , city officials defend the scheme as a vital tool to manage tourist flow and preserve Veniceโs UNESCO World Heritage status ๐๏ธ. โThereโs no magic wand,โ said tourism councillor Simone Venturini, โbut this is a step toward quality tourism that truly respects our unique city.โ ๐โค๏ธ
With 35,000+ day-tripper tickets already booked ๐๏ธ and over 30 million visitors expected this year, officials hope this new version of the fee will create a sustainable balance between residentsโ rights ๐ and global curiosity โ๏ธ. Meanwhile, critics argue itโs not enough and call for deeper reforms to short-term rentals and city infrastructure. ๐๏ธ๐ ๏ธ
#VeniceTourism #Overtourism #TravelNews #Italy๐ฎ๐น #EuropeTravel #SustainableTourism #VeniceFee #LastMinuteCharge #VenetianVoices ๐๐๐ซ
16-April-2025: The world is swirling in a wine crisis! According to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), 2024 saw the lowest global wine sales since 1961, plunging 3.3% to 214.2 million hectolitres. ๐ This sobering statistic raises alarms across the ๐ wine industry, facing what experts call a โgenerationalโ shift in drinking habits. #WineCrisis #GlobalTrends
๐ Production wasnโt spared either, dipping 4.8% to 225.8 million hectolitresโthe lowest in over six decades. From ๐บ๐ธ USAโs 5.8% consumption fall to ๐ซ๐ท Franceโs 3.6% drop, the decline hit nearly every major market. Only ๐ช๐ธ Spain and ๐ต๐น Portugal showed signs of rising sips. #WineConsumption #OIVReport
๐ต Meanwhile, the average price per bottle has surged by 30% since 2019โ20, contributing to a staggering 12% overall consumption decline. In the US, tariffs introduced under Donald Trump could spark further chaos, dubbed โanother bombโ for the already shaken industry. ๐บ๐ธ๐ท๐ฃ #USATariffs #WinePolitics
๐ง๏ธ๐ Climate extremesโfrom torrential rains to brutal droughtsโalso hit vineyards hard. ๐ฎ๐น Italy maintained its crown as the top producer (44m hectolitres) and exporter, sparkling with proseccoโs global charm. But ๐ซ๐ท Franceโs output plummeted 23% to 36.1m hectolitres, its worst since 1957. #ClimateImpact #ProseccoBoom
๐ The OIV warns of structural challenges, with youth turning away from traditional wine culture. Yet, hope glimmers in evolving preferencesโโPeople drink less, but better,โ notes French wine retailer Nicolas, suggesting a shift toward quality over quantity. ๐ทโจ #FutureOfWine #WineCulture
๐ท๏ธ #Wine #FoodAndDrink #France ๐ซ๐ท #Italy ๐ฎ๐น #Europe ๐ช๐บ #AlcoholTrends #GlobalNews
๐ In a twist of culture, economics, and wellness, the beloved large glass of wine (250ml) is vanishing from UK restaurant menus. ๐ฌ๐ง Once a staple pour, itโs now being replaced with daintier 125ml servings as Brits embrace healthier lifestyles, rising costs, and a thirst for variety. #WineTrends #UKWineCulture #HealthierChoices
๐ฉโ๐ณ At Michelin-starred venues, medium 175ml options are becoming equally rareโwith only The Ledbury in Notting Hill still pouring them. Elsewhere, itโs 125ml or go all in with a bottle. ๐พโจ #MichelinRestaurants #WineShift
๐ท Wine critic Sharah, this shift marks โTodayโs wine culture isnโt just about *less*โitโs about *better*. Smarter, more intentional sipping has taken the stage, as drinkers trade quantity for quality and adventure. ๐โจ Smaller pours open the door to broader tastingsโinviting wine lovers to explore bold, biodynamic blends and natural, low-intervention varieties poured into sleek, bistro-style glasses. ๐๐ฌ A swirl here, a sip thereโitโs wine-tasting as a curated experience, not just a casual indulgence. ๐ฑ๐ท #NaturalWine #TastingCulture #WineExploration
๐ท Price is another key ingredient in this shift. Chef Karla Monice of Wine Barโ V&V notes that a 250ml pour of fine wine could rival the cost of a full bottle for some diners. His approach: smaller, premium offerings at fair prices. ๐ฝ๏ธ๐ก #FineDiningOnABudget #WineEconomy
๐๏ธ Not all are on board, though. High-street chains like Wetherspoonโs, Pizza Express, and All Bar One continue to pour generously. ๐ท๐ท For wine lovers like Jhonny Dan and Parker Tusal, nothing beats a bartender who pours large without asking. โIf they only served small glasses?โ said Henry. โYouโd get a bottle.โ ๐ #CheersToTradition #WineLifeUK
๐ท๏ธ #Wine #UKHospitality ๐ฌ๐ง #FoodAndDrink #WineLovers #CulturalShift #RestaurantTrends #WineNot
14-April-2025: The UK ๐ฌ๐ง and its G7 allies are reportedly weighing a fresh strike against Russiaโs oil revenue stream, as the current $60-per-barrel price cap on ๐ท๐บ Russian exports is dubbed โmeaninglessโ ๐ฌ by experts. Amid a turbulent global oil market sparked by Donald Trumpโs ๐บ๐ธ sweeping trade war ๐ผ๐ฅ, crude prices plummeted to $59.77 โ rendering the cap ineffective just over a year after its introduction. #CrudeCollapse #TrumpTariffs
First introduced in late 2022 when oil was trading above $100 a barrel ๐น, the cap was meant to throttle Moscowโs war chest and limit funding for its invasion of Ukraine ๐บ๐ฆ. But Russia quickly dodged restrictions using a โshadow fleetโ ๐ข and murky supply chains to sell oil above the cap โ with 80% of shipments now beyond G7 enforcement reach. #OilLoopholes #WarFunding
Experts, including Clayton Seigle of CSIS ๐ง , urge a tougher stance: โThe cap is currently meaninglessโฆ the G7 should tighten the screws.โ Others, like Tom Keatinge of RUSI ๐ก๏ธ, call for a full rethink on how to cut Russiaโs hydrocarbon income: โIt doesnโt seem to be working.โ #StrategicShift #G7Pressure
The Treasury is now exploring a lower cap, as allies attempt to leverage collapsing oil prices to curb Putinโs power without risking global supply. The international oil benchmark Brent crude dropped nearly 20% ๐ in recent days amid fears of a global recession โ a direct response to Trumpโs aggressive tariff agenda. #EnergyGeopolitics #MarketShock #GlobalOil
Thursday saw a modest rebound to $65 after Trump paused some tariffs for 90 days โธ๏ธ โ excluding China ๐จ๐ณ โ providing a temporary sigh of relief for global markets. Yet the core question remains: will lowering the cap finally land a strategic blow on the Kremlinโs wallet? ๐ค #SanctionStrategy #UKMoves #RussiaOilWatch
13-April-2025: ๐บ๐ธ In a surprising late-night move, the Trump administration has officially *exempted smartphones, computers, and other key electronics* from the sweeping 125% tariffs on Chinese imports ๐ฆ๐จ๐ณ. The announcement, made via a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) notice, ensures that iPhones, laptops, memory cards, semiconductors, and solar cells will avoid massive price hikes feared by American consumers and tech companies alike. ๐ธ๐
๐ The exemptions, which also apply globally, offer a significant sigh of relief to import-heavy nations like ๐น๐ผ Taiwan (64% exempt), ๐ฒ๐พ Malaysia (44%), ๐ป๐ณ Vietnam and ๐น๐ญ Thailand (nearly 30%), as well as ๐ฎ๐ณ India, ๐ฐ๐ท South Korea, and ๐ฒ๐ฝ Mexico. Industry analysts say the move signals a partial *de-escalation in Trumpโs ongoing trade war with China*. ๐คโ๏ธ
๐ข Speaking to CNBC, tech expert Dan Ives declared the exemptions a "dream scenario for investors", emphasizing that without them, big tech would face โArmageddonโ. ๐งจ๐ Apple ๐, one of the most affected, had been bracing for a potential price surge on iPhones โ with UBS estimating a jump to $2,150 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. But the nightmare has been postponed, for now. ๐๐
๐ฆโ๏ธ Apple reportedly flew in 600 tons of iPhones from India to counter tariff threats, showing how intense the stakes had become. Meanwhile, China ๐จ๐ณ responded with 125% retaliatory tariffs โ but cleverly exempted chips made in Taiwan ๐น๐ผ and South Korea ๐ฐ๐ท, focusing only on US-manufactured semiconductors ๐๐ก.
๐ Experts believe more exemptions may follow, as lobbying ramps up across industries. As Trump clarified the exclusions on Saturday, the move could mark a turning point in the tariff tensions โ at least for the tech world. ๐๏ธ๐ #TrumpTariffs #TechRelief #ChinaTrade #iPhoneSaved #TariffExemptions #GlobalTrade ๐
13-April-2025:๐ทโ๏ธ Travellers returning to Great Britain from culinary adventures across Europe will now have to *leave the salami and brie behind*. From this weekend, *a strict ban on personal imports of meat and dairy products from EU countries* has taken effect, in a bold move to shield British livestock from the rising threat of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) ๐๐๐.
๐ฌ๐ง๐ The government measure prohibits cured meats, raw meats, cheese, milk and other dairy productsโeven those lovingly wrapped in duty-free bags or hidden in sandwiches. โ๐ฅช Whether packed or purchased fresh, *it's not getting through customs*. Exceptions are limited to baby formula, medicinal foods, and baked goods like bread, chocolate, and pasta ๐๐ซ.
๐พ๐ฅ FMD, while not harmful to humans, is a *highly contagious viral disease* affecting cloven-hoofed animals and could trigger devastating economic loss across UK farms. The UK currently remains free of FMD, but *surging cases in EU nations* such as ๐ฉ๐ช Germany, ๐ญ๐บ Hungary, ๐ธ๐ฐ Slovakia, and ๐ฆ๐น Austria have raised alarm bells ๐๐.
๐ The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) stressed the urgent need to โprotect Britainโs food securityโ through tougher biosecurity. Violators of the new rules face *seizure, destruction of goods*, and fines up to ยฃ5,000 ๐ธ๐ผ.
๐ฌ๐ง Minister Daniel Zeichner emphasized: โThis government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers.โ Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Jorge Martin-Almagro added that robust plans are already in place to detect and contain any FMD risks. ๐๐งฌ
๐Note: These restrictions only apply to Great Britain and *do not affect arrivals in Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man*. So if you're bringing back that fancy cheese from Paris ๐งณ๐ง, be prepared to say au revoir at the border! โ๐ซ๐ท
#FMDAlert #UKBiosecurity #FoodSafety #MeatBan #DairyBan #ProtectOurFarms #NoMoreHamFromSpain ๐ช๐ธ #ByeBrie ๐ซ๐ท #UKCustoms ๐ฌ๐ง #TravelUpdate ๐
๐บ๐ธ 12-April-2025: US President Donald Trump declared that his aggressive trade war was โdoing really wellโ ๐ชโeven as recession fears mount globally and ๐จ๐ณ China slammed Washington with a new wave of retaliatory tariffs, hiking rates up to a stunning 125% ๐. Trump claimed his tariff strategy was โmoving along quicklyโ ๐ and hailed it as a sign of strength and deal-making frenzy ๐๐. โPhones have been ringing off the hook,โ White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Despite the confident rhetoric, Wall Street remains uneasy ๐ฐ. The S&P 500 ๐ closed the week with a wild +5.7% surgeโits best since Nov 2023โafter swinging violently from a 12% drop earlier in the week. ๐ The Dow Jones followed suit, gaining 1.6% on Friday. However, top investors like Larry Fink ๐ง (BlackRock) and Jamie Dimon ๐ฆ (JPMorgan) warned of "elevated uncertainty" and signs of an impending recession ๐.
Meanwhile, American consumers are growing anxious ๐. According to a University of Michigan survey, sentiment plunged to 50.8โits lowest since the pandemic ๐ทโand inflation expectations shot up to 6.7%, the highest in over 40 years ๐ฐ๏ธ. Still, the White House claimed a โgolden ageโ is near โจ and defended its formula as โproven.โ ๐งช
Trumpโs sudden decision to pause a planned hike in tariffs left markets spinning ๐ขโand triggered accusations of insider trading ๐ผ๐ฐ. Senate Democrats ๐บ๐ธ including Elizabeth Warren and Chuck Schumer called on the SEC to investigate alleged market manipulation after Trump posted โA GREAT TIME TO BUY!!!โ ๐ค hours before reversing his tariff hike.
๐จ๐ณ China struck back, calling the US moves โunilateral bullyingโ and vowed that further tariffs would be โa joke in economic history.โ The escalating tension also hit business hard: Tesla ๐, run by Trump ally Elon Musk, pulled ordering options for US-made models in China amid the trade chaos ๐ซ๐จ๐ณ.
๐ Global ripple effects are growing. In the UK ๐ฌ๐ง, economists warned that modest growth may be short-lived as Trumpโs tariff war starts biting across economies. From soaring inflation to collapsing confidence and accusations of financial fraudโTrumpโs trade gamble is now the worldโs high-stakes poker game. โ ๏ธ๐
#TrumpTariffs #TradeWar #USPolitics #ChinaVsUS #WallStreet #RecessionFears #InflationSurge #TeslaChina #GlobalEconomy #StockMarketNews ๐บ๐ธ๐จ๐ณ๐๐๐ฅ
๐11-April-2025: Asian markets nosedived on Friday after Donald Trump ๐บ๐ธ admitted the โtransition costโ of tariffs, sparking fresh anxiety among global investors. Japanโs Nikkei 225 ๐ฏ๐ต plummeted 5.4% ๐ after a historic 9.1% rally just a day earlier. ๐ช๏ธ This dramatic reversal echoed across the region, with Australia ๐ฆ๐บ dropping over 2%, South Koreaโs Kospi ๐ฐ๐ท shedding 1.64%, and most major Asian indices ending the volatile week in deep red ๐. #AsianMarkets #TariffTremors
The Chinese yuan ๐จ๐ณ slipped to its lowest level in 19 months against key trading partners, despite a slight recovery versus the weakening US dollar ๐ต. The PBOC acted quickly, setting a stronger midpoint fix and ordering major banks to scale back dollar purchases to stem volatility ๐น. Analysts warn that further depreciation could spark capital outflows, even as it offers some relief to exporters. #YuanWatch #ChinaTrade
While much of Asia reeled, Indiaโs markets ๐ฎ๐ณ opened strong on Friday. The Nifty 50 rose 1.67% and the BSE Sensex gained 1.61% as investors cheered the US tariff reprieve. Closed for a local holiday Thursday, Indian stocks surged in a delayed response โฌ๏ธ. #IndiaMarkets #TariffRelief
Fears of a global economic slowdown sent investors fleeing to safety. Gold ๐ hit a new all-time high, while the Japanese yen ๐ฏ๐ต appreciated 0.9% against the dollar. The US dollar ๐ต itself slumped amid an exodus from US assets, even as bond yields surged to levels not seen since 1982 ๐. #SafeHavenRush #GoldSurge
Wall Street joined the global rout with the S&P 500 falling 3.5%, the Dow losing 2.5%, and the Nasdaq plunging 4.3%. These losses wiped out much of Thursdayโs massive gains. Market watchers say investor confidence has been deeply shaken by Trumpโs tariff flip-flops and economic uncertainty. #USMarkets #WallStreetDrop
From Singapore ๐ธ๐ฌ to Jakarta ๐ฎ๐ฉ, Taipei ๐น๐ผ to Manila ๐ต๐ญ, markets across Asia slid, closing a volatile week on a sour note. A rare exception: Vietnamโs Ho Chi Minh City ๐ป๐ณ saw a rally after announcing talks with Trump. Meanwhile, Shanghai ๐จ๐ณ fluctuated as traders clung to hopes of Chinese stimulus amidst rising US tariffs of up to 145% ๐จ. #AsiaStocks #VolatileWeek
In a surprise twist, the Australian dollar ๐ฆ๐บ ended the week with a 3.1% gain ๐, its biggest since 2022. Traditionally battered during market stress, the Aussie rallied from a five-year low to $0.6219. Analysts say itโs the US dollar now feeling the heat, as uncertainty over tariffs drives investors toward alternative assets ๐. #AUDRally #DollarDip
๐10-April-2025: US stocks tumbled Thursday as markets reeled from Donald Trumpโs dramatic reversal on tariffsโjust a day after a historic rally. The Dow dropped 2.5%, the Nasdaq crashed over 4%, and the S&P 500 sank 3.4%, wiping out Wednesdayโs gains following Trumpโs surprise decision to pause hefty tariffs for 90 days, except against ๐จ๐ณ China, which now faces a staggering 145% total tariff. ๐น
๐ฃ๏ธ While Trump claimed itโs all part of a โbeautifulโ economic transition, former Fed Chair Janet Yellen blasted it as the โworst self-inflicted woundโ on a well-functioning economy. Democratic lawmakers erupted in anger, labeling the retreat chaotic and possibly corrupt, while Republicans hailed it as the ultimate move in the โArt of the Dealโ playbook. ๐๐ช
๐ฌ Billionaire investor Bill Ackman praised Trumpโs timing, calling it โbrilliantly executed,โ while Amazon CEO Andy Jassy warned that third-party sellers may pass increased costs on to consumers. Even economists like Diane Swonk noted the effective tariff rate during the pause may peak at 30.5%โworse than expected. ๐ธ๐ฆ
โ๏ธ Meanwhile, Democrats including Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez questioned whether insider trading or market manipulation was at play. Trumpโs Truth Social post urging followers to โbuy stocksโ just hours before the tariff pause announcement has raised ethical alarms across Capitol Hill. ๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ๐
๐ช๐บ Not even good news from the EUโsuspending retaliatory tariffsโor data showing US inflation cooled to 2.4% in March could lift Wall Streetโs spirits. With the economy caught in a political tug-of-war, the markets are bracing for more turbulence ahead of Julyโs tariff deadline. ๐ข๐ณ๏ธ
#TrumpTariffs ๐บ๐ธ #StockMarketCrash ๐ #ArtOfTheDeal ๐ #InsiderTradingAllegations ๐ #ChinaTariffs ๐จ๐ณ #DemocratsVsRepublicans ๐๏ธ #USPolitics #WallStreet #TradeWarReloaded #MarketManipulation #TruthSocial ๐ฑ #GlobalMarkets
10-April-2025: In a dramatic turn of events, Asian markets surged ๐ after US ๐บ๐ธ President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on sweeping tariffs for most nations โ except China ๐จ๐ณ, which now faces a stunning 125% levy. This surprise move offered breathing space for trade talks and lifted investor confidence across the region. #TrumpTariffPause #AsiaMarkets #TradeWar
While Japan ๐ฏ๐ต welcomed the tariff pause, government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi said Tokyo โstronglyโ urges the US to reconsider tariffs on steel, aluminium, and vehicles. โWe continue to strongly demand that the United States reviews these reciprocal measures,โ he emphasized. #JapanTrade #USJapanRelations
South Korea ๐ฐ๐ท and Taiwan ๐น๐ผ both praised the pause, saying it opens the door for meaningful negotiations. Taiwanโs President Lai Ching-te even floated a zero-tariff regime proposal. Markets responded instantly: Taiwanโs Taiex surged 9.2% as TSMC and Foxconn saw double-digit gains. #TariffTalks #AsiaTrade
Indonesiaโs benchmark Jakarta Composite Index rebounded 4.85% ๐ after suffering its worst crash since 2011 earlier this week. The rally was fueled by Trumpโs decision to freeze the 32% tariff that was to hit the country. #IndonesiaStocks #MarketRebound
China ๐จ๐ณ remains defiant, slapping an 84% tariff on US imports effective Thursday. Commerce minister Wang Wentao called the US levies โa serious infringement on all countries.โ As tensions rise, China and the EU ๐ช๐บ have pledged to boost trade talks and address EV tariff conflicts. #ChinaUS #TariffWar #EVTrade
Australia ๐ฆ๐บ rebuffed Chinaโs call to โjoin handsโ on trade, with Defence Minister Richard Marles making it clear: โWeโre not about to make common cause with China.โ Canberraโs focus remains on diversifying trade โ not choosing sides. #AustraliaChina #TradeIndependence
Markets across Asia lit up ๐ก after the tariff pause: Japanโs Nikkei 225 surged 7.2%, Seoulโs Kospi rose over 5%, Australiaโs ASX 200 jumped more than 6%, and Hong Kongโs Hang Seng added 2.69%. Even Wall Street followed suit โ the Nasdaq soared 12.2%, marking its best day in 24 years. #AsiaStocks #GlobalMarkets #WallStreetBoom
Meanwhile, in Washington ๐บ๐ธ, Republicans quietly pushed a procedural rule that blocks the House from voting to overturn Trumpโs tariffs. Hidden in budget debate language, the rule delays Democratic opposition until October. A political sleight of hand in the heart of Capitol Hill. #USPolitics #TariffShield #TrumpMoves
As Trump escalates against China, Beijing gears up for a prolonged standoff. Analysts say China holds leverage, given Americaโs dependence on its imports. โAny appearance of backing down would be politically untenable,โ said economist Diana Choyleva. The trade warโs next chapter may be its most explosive yet. #ChinaVsUSA #TradeWarEscalation #Geopolitics
9-April-2025: In a fiery response to Donald Trumpโs latest economic offensive, China ๐จ๐ณ has slapped a massive 84% tariff on U.S. goods, retaliating against the U.S. presidentโs sweeping 104% tariffs on Chinese imports. Markets across the globe felt the shockwaves. ๐
๐ฌ๐ง The UKโs FTSE 100 dropped by 3.4%, while the Stoxx 600โtracking Europeโs largest firmsโplunged 4.2%. Major European indices like Germanyโs DAX and Franceโs CAC 40 also saw steep 3.4% declines ๐ฑ. Asian markets had already been hit hard before the European session opened.
๐ข๏ธ Oil prices nosedived ๐, with Brent crude falling below $60 a barrel for the first time since February 2021. The chaos extended to Wall Street futures, where S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones are set for significant losses of up to 1.7%.
๐ Investors rushed to offload U.S. Treasuries, sending yields higher. The 10-year yield jumped to 4.42%, and the 30-year touched 4.9%, amplifying fears of financial instability.
๐ฆ The Bank of England issued a stern warning, saying Trumpโs tariffs could ignite higher inflation, cripple growth, and trigger "severe shocks" to the global financial system ๐๐ฃ.
๐ช๐บ Meanwhile, the EU is preparing to vote on 25% retaliatory tariffs against the U.S., fueling further global uncertainty. Reports suggest Chinese leaders are also exploring internal economic support measures to offset tariff impacts.
๐ From the pharmaceutical hubs of Ireland ๐ฎ๐ช to the wholesale lanes of Yiwu ๐จ๐ณ, Trumpโs trade war is reshaping the world economy. American pharma giants in Cork face existential threats as Trump vows to bring jobs and industries back home ๐ฌ๐.
๐ China labeled the U.S. move as a โmistake on top of a mistake,โ warning that these aggressive policies violate international norms and threaten the multilateral trading system. The battle lines are drawnโ๐ Global markets brace for impact.
๐ฒ #TradeWar #ChinaVsUSA #TrumpTariffs #GlobalMarkets #OilCrash #StockMarketMeltdown #EUvsUS #IrelandPharmaCrisis #BusinessLive ๐
9-April-2025: ๐จ๐ณ China's Yuan Sinks to 19-Month Low: The yuan plummeted to 7.3505 per USD ๐, its weakest level since Sept 2023, amid escalating ๐บ๐ธ๐จ๐ณ trade tensions. Offshore yuan briefly hit a record low of 7.4288 overnight, shaking investor confidence. #YuanCrisis #ChinaUSRelations
โ๏ธ Metal Meltdown in China: Copper on Shanghai exchange slid 2% to an 8-month low, while London prices also dipped. Looming 104% US tariffs hammer base metals. #CopperCrash #TariffTrouble ๐จ๐ณ๐บ๐ธ
๐ฏ๐ต Japan on Currency Edge: Finance minister hints at forex discussions with US. With ๐บ๐ธ tariffs looming, Tokyo eyes yenโs impact on trade. G20 talks could be pivotal. #YenWatch #G20Finance
๐ฆ๐บ Billions Wiped from Aussie Markets: ASX plunged over 2%, led by mining giants like BHP and CSL amid fears of a full-blown US-China trade war. Pharma tariffs hit hard. #ASXDrop #AustraliaFinance ๐ธ๐
โฐ Ticking Clock: Tariffs Go Live: Trumpโs sweeping 104% tariffs hit China and ~60 other nations. White House confirmed enforcement from 12.01am ET despite global backlash. #TariffImpact #GlobalTradeWars ๐๐ฅ
๐๐ฐ๐ท South Koreaโs Emergency Drive: Seoul unveils 15tn won ($10B) auto sector rescue plan. Trumpโs 25% car tariff triggers fears of massive industry fallout. #KoreanAutos #TrumpTariffs
โ๏ธ๐ป๐ณ Vietnamโs Last-Minute Plea: PM Chinh offers to boost ๐บ๐ธ purchases (including defense gear) and seeks 45-day tariff delay. US remains Vietnamโs top export market. #VietnamTrade #AsiaResponse
๐ Trump Targets Pharma Next: US to slap major tariff on pharmaceuticals. Trump says companies will โrush backโ to ๐บ๐ธ to avoid duties. #PharmaWar #AmericaFirstPills
๐ Asian Markets in Turmoil: ๐ญ๐ฐ Hang Seng drops 3.1%, ๐น๐ผ Taiwan down 1.8%, ๐จ๐ณ Shanghai off 1.1%. ๐ฏ๐ต Nikkei dips nearly 4% before stabilizing. Panic ripples across Asia as Wall St. retreats. #AsiaMarkets #TradeWarFallout
๐ BOJ Caution Amid Storm: ๐ฏ๐ต Bank of Japanโs governor warns US tariffs pose โeconomic uncertaintiesโ as Japan tiptoes on interest rate hikes. #BOJAlert #MonetaryMoves
9-April-2025: In a dramatic escalation of global trade tensions, Donald Trumpโs sweeping new tariffs โ including a staggering 104% on Chinese goods ๐จ๐ณ โ officially came into effect today at 12:01am ET. The announcement sent shockwaves across world markets ๐, wiping out billions in market value and threatening economic stability from Australia ๐ฆ๐บ to Taiwan ๐น๐ผ.
๐ The S&P 500 closed below 5,000 for the first time in nearly a year, with U.S. companies losing a massive $5.8 trillion since the tariffs were first unveiled. The Nikkei index ๐ฏ๐ต nosedived 5%, Taiwanโs market tumbled nearly 6%, and the Chinese yuan ๐ด hit a 19-month low. Meanwhile, South Koreaโs won ๐ฐ๐ท touched its weakest level in 16 years.
Markets in China ๐จ๐ณ, Hong Kong ๐ญ๐ฐ, and Taiwan ๐น๐ผ saw massive losses as Trumpโs protectionist blitz deepened fears of a looming global recession. Japanโs yen ๐ rallied as investors scrambled for safe havens, while India ๐ฎ๐ณ faced blows to its pharma exports, dragging the Nifty 50 down with top drugmakers like Gland Pharma and Sun Pharma slumping 3-5% ๐.
Trump has called these tariffs โpermanentโ yet continues to hint at potential negotiations. โWe have a lot of countries coming in that want to make deals,โ he boasted during a White House event ๐๏ธ. However, Beijing remains defiant, promising to โfight to the endโ over what it deems economic blackmail ๐ฃ.
๐ฃ๏ธ The ASEAN bloc ๐ธ๐ฌ๐ฒ๐พ๐น๐ญ has urged its member nations to act โboldly and decisivelyโ to accelerate economic integration as Trumpโs tariffs threaten to destabilize export-heavy economies. Speaking in Kuala Lumpur ๐ฒ๐พ, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn warned: โWithout urgent collective action, we risk losing our place in a fractured global economy.โ
The European Union ๐ช๐บ is expected to vote today on a list of U.S. goods โ including almonds, yachts, and steel parts โ for retaliatory tariffs, possibly sparking the next wave of economic tit-for-tat. But in a surprising twist, bourbon and wine ๐ท have been spared โ for now.
With Trumpโs global tariff war intensifying and no end in sight, economists warn of soaring inflation, manufacturing stagnation, and a possible worldwide recession ๐ช๏ธ. Yet the White House remains firm: โPresident Trump has a spine of steel,โ said Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, โand America will not break under his leadership.โ ๐ช๐บ๐ธ
๐ #TrumpTariffs #TradeWar #ChinaCrisis #GlobalEconomy #ASEAN #EUvsUS #MarketMeltdown #RecessionRisk #StockCrash #AmericaFirst #YuanSlide #IndiaPharma
9-April-2025:๐ฅ Despite pausing ads over brand safety concerns, the Australian government ๐ฆ๐บ spent a whopping $2.7 million advertising on Elon Muskโs social media platform X (formerly Twitter) ๐ฆโก๏ธโ in the billionaire's first year as owner. This taxpayer-funded spree occurred between November 2022 and November 2023, just after Musk's October 28, 2022 acquisition of the platform. ๐ฐ๐
๐ The ad campaigns spanned public health, budget messaging, vaccine awareness, and the Voice referendumโdespite earlier reports that ads had appeared next to inappropriate content, leading to a temporary pause on September 29, 2022. The ad freeze lasted only a week before resuming on October 5, following a review by the government's media agency. ๐ซ๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธโ
๐ The figures were revealed after a freedom of information battle between Guardian Australia and the Department of Finance. While the 2023-24 data remains under wraps until 2026, insiders say spending remained similar, raising eyebrows as X's reputation plunged due to disinformation, hate speech, spam bots, and Muskโs erratic behavior. ๐ค๐ฌโ ๏ธ
๐จโ๐ซ Prof. Axel Bruns of QUTโs Digital Media Research Centre criticized the decision, saying โcontinued government ads on X are unlikely to make an impactโ and hinting it could be soft diplomacy aimed at currying favor with the increasingly Trump-aligned Musk. ๐บ๐ธ๐ค๐งข
๐ฅ Musk, now deeply entwined with Donald Trumpโs political comeback, has engaged in public spats with the Albanese governmentโeven calling them โfascistโ over a scrapped misinformation bill. He also faces legal fights with Australia's online safety regulator. โ๏ธ๐งโโ๏ธ
๐ Meanwhile, Muskโs own approval ratings are nosediving, with polls showing more than half of Americans think he and his self-styled โDepartment of Government Efficiency (Doge)โ are harming the country. ๐ถ๐ผ๐บ๐ธ
๐งพ With total digital ad spend for 2022-23 hitting $56.3 million, critics argue that funneling millions to Musk's embattled platform offers diminishing returns and reputational risks for the Australian government. ๐งจ๐
#ElonMusk #TwitterX #AustraliaNews #DigitalAds #TaxpayerMoney #SocialMediaPolitics #AlbaneseGov #BrandSafety #DogeDept #TrumpConnection ๐ฆ๐บ๐บ๐ธ๐ฒ
8-April-2025:๐ข In a significant move to boost online safety for teenagers, Meta ๐ง โthe parent company of Instagram, Facebook, and Messengerโhas announced that under-16 users will now be barred from livestreaming on Instagram ๐ฌ unless they have explicit parental permission. ๐บ๐ธ๐ฌ๐ง๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐บ
๐ง๐ต The new safety rule, rolled out as part of Metaโs expanding safeguards, also requires teens to get parental approval to disable a feature that blurs suspected nudity in direct messages ๐. The update builds upon Instagramโs existing teen account controls and is now being extended to Facebook and Messenger, with new protections automatically applied to users under 18. ๐
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐ง Parents will now have the power to set daily time limits โณ, restrict access at certain hours ๐ฐ๏ธ, and monitor which accounts are messaging their child ๐ฌ. Teens aged 16-17 will be defaulted into the new system but can manage their settings independently, while under-16s require parental intervention for most changes. ๐
๐ Meta revealed that 54 million teens globally use Instagram under these teen safety settings, with 90% of 13โ15-year-olds keeping the default restrictions active ๐.
๐ถ๐ฌ The NSPCC (UKโs child protection charity) welcomed the expanded efforts but stressed that Meta must also act proactively to prevent harmful contentโfrom self-harm to abuseโbefore it spreads. Matthew Sowemimo of NSPCC emphasized that safety measures must go beyond settings and include preemptive content controls. ๐งฉ๐จ
๐ The announcement aligns with the UKโs implementation of the Online Safety Act ๐ฌ๐ง, which obliges tech giants like Meta, Google, and others to protect usersโespecially minorsโfrom illegal and damaging content including child sexual abuse, fraud, and terrorism. ๐โ๏ธ
๐๏ธ Former Meta global affairs president Nick Clegg noted that the goal is to โshift the balance in favor of parentsโ when using parental toolsโresponding to concerns that many families still underuse built-in protections. ๐งญ๐จโ๐ฉโ๐ฆ
#MetaNews #InstagramUpdate #TeenSafety #ParentalControl #OnlineSafety #FacebookMessenger #SocialMediaRules #UKOnlineSafetyAct #DigitalWellness #TechForTeens ๐บ๐ธ๐ฌ๐ง๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐บ๐ฒ
7-April-2025: Global markets are on edge as the US ๐บ๐ธ and China ๐จ๐ณ exchange escalating tariff threats, igniting fears of an international recession. President Donald Trump has proposed a new round of 50% tariffs on Chinese imports, branding Beijingโs response as unfair. In retaliation, Chinaโs commerce ministry vowed to โfight to the endโ, calling the US stance โa mistake on top of a mistakeโ and accusing Washington of economic blackmail. ๐ฅ
๐ The fallout shook world markets. Jakarta halted trading after a 9% plunge ๐, Taipei shed over 4%, and Vietnamโs index dropped 5%. Meanwhile, Tokyo rebounded ๐ 6% after PM Shigeru Ishiba spoke with Trump, and Hong Kong climbed 2% following its worst retreat since 1997. Chinaโs central bank also stepped in, backing state fund Central Huijin to stabilize Shanghai markets.
๐ข๏ธ Wall Street saw mixed fortunes: Nasdaq edged up, S&P and Dow pared losses, while oil prices rose 1%. Across the Atlantic, ๐ฌ๐ง UK markets proved resilient. Berenberg Bank predicted the UK could weather the tariff shock better than others due to lower exposure, healthy consumer finances, and minimal direct trade impact.
๐ช๐บ The European Union responded with its own 25% counter-tariffs and proposed a โzero for zeroโ deal, while ๐น๐ผ Taiwanโhit by 32% tariffsโoffered zero-tariff negotiations and new investments in the US. Taiwanโs foreign minister Lin Chia-lung expressed openness to talks โany time.โ
๐ Investor nerves are frayed as the economic standoff escalates. With China and the US locked in a titanic economic showdown, and global leaders scrambling to stabilize markets, the world watches for a breakthroughโor a breakdown. ๐งจ
#TradeWar #TrumpVsChina #GlobalMarkets #TariffTensions #China ๐จ๐ณ #USA ๐บ๐ธ #Taiwan ๐น๐ผ #UK ๐ฌ๐ง #EU ๐ช๐บ #BusinessLive #StockMarketCrash #RecessionFears #AsiaMarkets #EconomicShowdown
7-April-2025: Asian stock markets were thrown into turmoil on Monday as Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs sent shockwaves through the global economy. ๐๐ธ Japanโs ๐ฏ๐ต Nikkei 225 plunged nearly 9%, while Hong Kongโs ๐ญ๐ฐ Hang Seng dropped 8% and South Korea ๐ฐ๐ท was forced to halt trading temporarily. #TariffTerror #TrumpTradeWar #GlobalMarkets
Trump defended his aggressive trade move, saying "sometimes you have to take medicine." Meanwhile, ๐จ๐ณ China's base metal prices collapsed, with copper down 7%, aluminium sliding 4.5%, and nickel falling nearly 7% on the Shanghai exchange. The US-China clash intensified with Beijing retaliating with a 34% tariff on American goods. ๐ฅโ๏ธ #USChina #TradeWar #MetalsMeltdown
Japan's Nikkei dropped to 30,792.74, its lowest since October 2023. Bank stocks bore the brunt, plummeting up to 17.3%. The Topix index dropped 8% as all 225 companies on the Nikkei bled red. ๐จ๐ฆ #JapanCrisis #BankingBloodbath
Indiaโs ๐ฎ๐ณ BSE Sensex fell 5.19% while the Nifty slid 5%. But thanks to a limited export exposure to the US (only 2% of GDP), and exemption of key sectors like pharma and energy, analysts see India as better positioned compared to ๐จ๐ณ China or ๐ง๐ฉ Bangladesh. ๐โก๏ธ๐ #IndiaResilience #EmergingMarkets
Howmet Aerospace โ๏ธโ๏ธ, which supplies parts for Boeing ๐บ๐ธ and Airbus ๐ช๐บ, declared force majeure due to Trumpโs tariffs. A letter warned that it could halt shipments impacted by the national emergency order. Industry insiders say this could be the first of many ripple effects in the $150bn jetliner market. #AerospaceAlert #TariffImpact
With a record $127.8bn in exports to the US in 2024, South Korea ๐ฐ๐ท braces for impact from Trumpโs 25% tariff starting Wednesday. ๐ Automobiles, which made up 27% of that trade, are especially at risk. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok pledged emergency support for affected sectors. #KoreaTrade #USImports
Countries scramble for exemptions: ๐ฎ๐ฑ Israel's Netanyahu seeks reprieve from a 17% tariff, ๐ฎ๐น Italyโs Meloni pledges to protect local producers, and ๐ฌ๐ง UKโs Starmer opts for a cautious path to shield Britain from economic fallout. Meanwhile, ๐น๐ผ Taiwan offered zero tariffs to negotiate its way out. #TariffTango #TradeTalks
Some analysts hint at a silver lining for ๐ฎ๐ณ India. With Apple ๐ and Samsung ๐บ considering shifting production out of ๐จ๐ณ China and ๐ป๐ณ Vietnam due to higher tariffs, India might gain big in tech and garments. India could soon outpace ๐ง๐ฉ Bangladesh in apparel exports. ๐ผ๐ฆ #MadeInIndia #GlobalShift
Markets across Asia reeled under fear of a global recession, and analysts warned the worst may not be over. โItโs gone from bad to worse,โ one analyst said, as investors brace for more volatility. The ๐ฎ๐ณ Nifty 50 remains 13% below its September highs, and global investors have pulled out $27bn in recent weeks. ๐ช๏ธ๐ฐ #MarketPanic #EconomicStorm
6-April-2025: In a move that has shaken global markets and alarmed allies, Donald Trumpโs sweeping 10% import tariff officially came into effect at 12:01am ET ๐บ๐ธ, launching what experts are calling a โseismic shiftโ in global trade. The levy, applied to imports from nations including ๐ฌ๐ง the UK, ๐ฆ๐บ Australia, ๐ฆ๐ท Argentina, ๐ช๐ฌ Egypt, ๐ธ๐ฆ Saudi Arabia, and ๐จ๐ด Colombia, marks the beginning of a new era in U.S. protectionism. #TrumpTariffs #TradeShock #GlobalEconomy
Higher โreciprocalโ tariffsโranging from 11% to a staggering 50%โare set to roll out next week. ๐ช๐บ EU goods will face 20%, and ๐จ๐ณ China will be hit with a punishing 34% hike, bringing Chinaโs total tariff rate to 54%. Canada ๐จ๐ฆ and Mexico ๐ฒ๐ฝ have been spared due to pre-existing duties linked to the fentanyl crisis. #TradeWar #ChinaVsUS #TariffTime
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is taking a measured approach, opting to prioritize national interest over retaliation, though the UK has quietly prepared a product hit list for possible countermeasures. โCalm, not chaos,โ says No. 10, even as Starmer consults global leaders like ๐ฆ๐บ Anthony Albanese and ๐ฎ๐น Giorgia Meloni. #DiplomacyFirst #BrexitTrade #UKUSRelations
Canada, however, isnโt pulling punches. ๐จ๐ฆ High Commissioner Ralph Goodale told the BBC, โThe US must feel the painโฆ these tariffs will hurt American jobs, growth, and consumers.โ #CanadaStrong #NoMoreTariffs #TradeTruth
Markets didnโt wait to react: ๐ Wall Street plunged, erasing $5 trillion in S&P 500 value in just two days, as oil and commodities tumbled and investors ran for cover in safe bonds. Former White House trade adviser Kelly Ann Shaw called it โthe single biggest trade action of our lifetime.โ #MarketMeltdown #WallStreetWoes #Tariffquake
As the global economy braces for impact, world leaders are scrambling to protect their economies, industries, and consumers from a ripple effect that could reshape international trade for years to come. #NewTradeOrder #TrumpEffect #GlobalShockwave
5-April-2025: The emerald wave of matcha ๐ฑ has taken the world by storm, turning the ancient Japanese powdered green tea into a global sensation โ and now, a potential crisis. From creamy lattes in ๐บ๐ธ New York to artisan desserts in ๐ฉ๐ช Berlin and ๐ฆ๐บ Melbourne, matchaโs popularity has exploded thanks to TikTok trends, Instagram-worthy aesthetics, and its calm, focused energy boost. ๐ธโจ #MatchaMadness #GreenGold #TeaLoversUnite
In Uji, near Kyoto ๐ฏ๐ต โ the heartland of ceremonial matcha โ foreign tourists are packing workshops at Chazuna, eager to whisk their own tea the traditional way. "Itโs all about matcha, matcha," says Naoto Sakayori, the director of Chazuna. The town is buzzing with cafes serving everything from matcha-topped ramen to green-tea-infused takoyaki. ๐๐ก #UjiVibes #CulinaryAdventure #TeaCulture
But beneath the vibrant green surface lies a brewing concern. With demand tripling production levels from 2010, and global sales projected to hit $5B by 2028 ๐, Kyoto's tea suppliers are sounding the alarm. Last fallโs supply strain triggered rationing, and now tea companies are urging farmers to pivot from sencha to tencha โ the leaf used for matcha. ๐ฟ๐ #MatchaShortage #TeaEconomy #SupplyChainCrisis
Despite its bittersweet taste, matcha is winning hearts โ even skeptics like honeymooners Henrik and Tessa from Germany ๐ฉ๐ช, who gave it one last try and found bliss in a matcha dessert. ๐ฐ๐ As the 2025 harvest begins, a temporary reprieve may come, but Japan's iconic tea faces a challenge: keeping up with a thirsty world. #TeaTimeGlobal #MatchaWave #JapanExperience
From a meditative ritual to a global lifestyle statement, matchaโs journey is more than just a trend โ itโs a cultural connection in a cup. โ๏ธ๐ #ZenInACup #FromKyotoWithLove #TeaCeremonyToTikTok
5-April-2025: The TikTok saga continues! Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again extended the deadline for the Chinese-owned app TikTok to be sold to a non-Chinese buyer, pushing the looming ban another 75 days into the future. The original deadline, set for April 5, now moves to mid-June as negotiations hit more legal and political roadblocks.
๐ฃ Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the deal needs โmore workโ to secure all necessary approvals. Meanwhile, ByteDance, TikTokโs Chinese parent company ๐จ๐ณ, responded, noting, โThere are key matters to be resolvedโ and that any agreement will require Chinese government approval.
โ๏ธ The appโs future remains uncertain as Congress previously passed a law forcing TikTok to either divest or face a ban in the U.S. over concerns that ByteDance could exploit the platform to manipulate American users ๐บ๐ธ. With over 170 million users in the U.S. alone, TikTok's algorithm is a major attraction for global investors ๐ฐ.
๐๏ธ Trump recently met with potential buyers โ a high-profile list including Oracle, Amazon, Walmart, Blackstone, billionaire Frank McCourt, a crypto foundation, and even the founder of OnlyFans ๐ฅ โ suggesting that a deal might be close.
๐ฅ However, China's recent resistance to approving the sale comes in the wake of Trumpโs new tariffs on dozens of countries, including a steep 54% tariff on Chinese imports. Trump hinted that tariff reductions may be on the table if China cooperates on the TikTok deal. โThe tariffs give us great power to negotiate,โ he said from Air Force One.
๐ฏ Trump added in his social post: โWe do not want TikTok to โgo darkโโฆ We look forward to working with TikTok and China to close the deal.โ While the political and legal chess match continues, users and investors worldwide remain glued to the outcome.
#TikTokBan ๐บ๐ธ๐ฑ #TrumpTikTokDeal #ByteDance ๐จ๐ณ #USChinaTrade #SocialMediaPolitics #TikTokTakeover #Oracle #Blackstone #Walmart #TariffNegotiations #TechWar #TruthSocial #DigitalDiplomacy ๐โ๏ธ
4-April-2025: ๐จ๐ณ China has fired back at Donald Trumpโs latest tariff blitz, slapping a whopping 34% extra duty on all ๐บ๐ธ US imports in response to what it labeled โunilateral bullyingโ ๐ค. The tit-for-tat move has sent shockwaves ๐ through global financial markets, with nearly $5 trillion wiped from global stocks ๐, fueling fears of a looming recession ๐๐.
๐ฆ The FTSE 100 nosedived by over 7% this week ๐โits worst performance since the early COVID eraโwhile Wall Street's ๐ Nasdaq tumbled into bear market territory, and the S&P 500 plunged over 9%. Oil prices ๐ข๏ธ also tanked 7%, as Brent crude fell to around $65 per barrel, reflecting dire investor outlooks.
๐จ The IMFโs Kristalina Georgieva warned that the trade war presents a "significant risk" to global growth ๐งจ, echoing the Fed Chair Jerome Powellโs remarks about โhigher inflation and slower growthโ as inevitable outcomes. Despite Trump's pressure, Powell is resisting calls to slash rates, stating โitโs too soonโ to pivot monetary policy ๐ฏ.
๐ฌ Trump lashed out on Truth Social ๐ฑ, declaring โCHINA PLAYED IT WRONGโ and doubled down on his hardline stance, only to later soften with news of a โproductive callโ with Vietnamโs ๐ป๐ณ PM To Lam โ one of the countries hit by the tariff storm alongside ๐ฐ๐ญ Cambodia and ๐น๐ญ Thailand.
๐ฌ๐ง Meanwhile, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves is hoping to negotiate out of a 10% US tariff in exchange for tech tax breaks ๐ท, but analysts warn the UK could face tax hikes if growth stalls ๐. Economist Paul Johnson said Reeves โmay need to increase taxes by a significant amountโ this autumn ๐๐.
๐ฃ Chinaโs tariff commission called Trumpโs moves โa typical unilateral bullying practiceโ ๐ซ and said it โundermines international trade rulesโ. The Chinese backlash is fierce and firm โ a clear signal that Beijing wonโt fold without a serious diplomatic duel ๐ค๐ผ.
As uncertainty looms, JP Morgan now places the risk of a global recession at 60% ๐ โ up from 40% โ while Trump touts his policies as โliberation dayโ economics. But with markets in meltdown, consumers under pressure, and global alliances straining, the trade warโs consequences are no longer just political theatre โ theyโre real, rippling, and rising. ๐๐ฃ
๐ฐ #TrumpTariffs #ChinaStrikesBack #TradeWar #GlobalRecession #StockMarketCrash #Economy2025 #TariffTensions #China ๐จ๐ณ #USA ๐บ๐ธ #UK ๐ฌ๐ง #Vietnam ๐ป๐ณ #Cambodia ๐ฐ๐ญ #Thailand ๐น๐ญ
4-April-2025: Asian markets plunged on Friday ๐ง๏ธ as the fallout from Donald Trump's sweeping tariff announcements sent shockwaves ๐ through global economies. The IMF chief, Kristalina Georgieva, warned that the tariffs pose a โsignificant riskโ to global stability ๐. The Nikkei ๐ฏ๐ต dropped 1.8%, Australiaโs ASX ๐ฆ๐บ tumbled 2%, and chipmakers like Advantest saw losses of 7% ๐. Meanwhile, $2.5 trillion vanished from Wall Street ๐บ๐ธ, marking its worst day since 2020.
Global leaders didnโt mince words. French President Emmanuel Macron ๐ซ๐ท labeled the tariffs โbrutal and unfoundedโ, while Japanโs PM Shigeru Ishiba ๐ฏ๐ต called it a โnational crisisโ. Fiji ๐ซ๐ฏ was hit hard with a 32% tariff, prompting PM Sitiveni Rabuka to say his nation faced a โtrade blockadeโ ๐ซ. Even tiny Norfolk Island ๐ฆ๐บ was slapped with a 29% tariff due to mislabelled shipments, despite having no trade ties to the US ๐บ๐ธ.
Irish whiskey makers ๐ฎ๐ช lamented lost investments, Indian shrimp farmers ๐ฎ๐ณ warned of being overtaken by Ecuador ๐ช๐จ, and Chinese manufacturers ๐จ๐ณ faced confusion and uncertainty over duties. โThere are no winners in this,โ said one whiskey exporter. Companies now face added costs, supply delays, and crippling uncertainty over trade logistics. #TradeTension #TariffTrouble
US tech giants were hammered, with Apple ๐ losing 9.5%, and declines hitting Microsoft, Nvidia, Dell, and HP ๐ป. The Nasdaq ๐ plummeted 6%, its steepest dive in five years. Oil prices ๐ข๏ธ sank over 6%, gold ๐ช hit new highs, and the dollar ๐ต took a historic plunge against the euro ๐ช๐บ and yen ๐ฏ๐ต. JP Morgan now puts the risk of a global recession at 60%, citing a possible โsentiment shockโ and long-term economic drag. #MarketMeltdown #RecessionRisk
Despite the carnage, Trump ๐บ๐ธ doubled down, declaring, โThe markets will boom.โ VP JD Vance echoed confidence, blaming short-term panic and hailing tariffs as a national security move. But critics like economist Lawrence Summers slammed the policy as โdangerous and unprecedented.โ With economists and allies bracing for impact, the globe watches anxiously. ๐๐
#TrumpTariffs #GlobalRecession #AsianMarkets #WallStreetCrash #TradeWar #IMFWarnings #MarketTurbulence #BusinessLive #StockMarketPlunge #Ireland ๐ฎ๐ช #India ๐ฎ๐ณ #China ๐จ๐ณ #Japan ๐ฏ๐ต #France ๐ซ๐ท #Fiji ๐ซ๐ฏ #Australia ๐ฆ๐บ #USA ๐บ๐ธ #EU ๐ช๐บ #Canada ๐จ๐ฆ
๐3-April-2025:๐ Global markets spiraled into chaos as ๐บ๐ธ Donald Trump's aggressive new tariffs wiped a staggering $2.5 trillion off global stock valuations. Wall Street led the plunge, with the Nasdaq tumbling 5.97%, the S&P 500 down 4.8%, and the Dow sinking 3.9% โ its worst day since June 2020. ๐ฆ๐ฃ
๐๐ผ Tech giants like Apple ๐ and Nvidia ๐ป bore the brunt, losing a combined $470 billion in value, as Trump's sweeping border taxes โ ranging from 10% to 50% โ sparked panic across financial markets. ๐๏ธ
๐จ๐ณ China denounced the move as โunilateral bullying,โ ๐ช๐บ EU officials called for retaliatory measures, and ๐ฌ๐ง UK ministers hinted at striking back, even while chasing a post-Brexit deal with the US. The fallout stretched from Brussels to Beijing to Wall Street, with the FTSE 100 ๐ฌ๐ง suffering its worst day since August. ๐
๐ข๏ธ Commodities took a hit too, with oil prices plunging 7% and Brent crude dipping to $70 a barrel. Deutsche Bank warned of a looming โ๐ต dollar confidence crisisโ as the greenback hit a six-month low. ๐
๐ Poorest nations were hit hardest. ๐ฐ๐ญ Cambodia saw a brutal 49% tariff, ๐ป๐ณ Vietnam 46%, and ๐ฒ๐ฒ Myanmar 44% โ a devastating blow to nations already reeling from poverty and political turmoil. ๐๐ Clothing and footwear brands like Nike ๐ and Adidas ๐ saw share prices plummet due to disrupted supply chains.
๐ซ๐ท Franceโs Emmanuel Macron condemned the tariffs as โbrutal and unfounded,โ ๐ฉ๐ช Germanyโs Olaf Scholz said they were โfundamentally wrong,โ and ๐ช๐ธ Spainโs Pedro Sรกnchez blasted the โprotectionistโ policies. EU leaders now plan mid-April countermeasures targeting iconic US goods like ๐ฅค orange juice, ๐ jeans, and ๐๏ธ Harley-Davidsons. ๐จ
๐ข Trump, however, remained bullish: โThe markets are going to boom. The country is going to boom.โ But with recession fears mounting and the Tax Foundation estimating a $1.8 trillion tax hit for Americans, many fear a stormier road ahead. โ๏ธ๐ฐ
๐ Analysts warn of the steepest rise in US tariffs since 1933 โ risking global economic slowdown akin to the 2008 crash and the Covid-19 pandemic. ๐ฅ๐ผ
๐ข Stay tuned as global leaders navigate this high-stakes trade war. The fallout is just beginning... ๐ช๏ธ
#TrumpTariffs #WallStreetCrash #GlobalEconomy #TradeWar #StockMarket #RecessionFears #China #EU #UK #USA ๐บ๐ธ๐จ๐ณ๐ช๐บ๐ฌ๐ง๐ซ๐ท๐ฉ๐ช๐ช๐ธ
๐ฅ3-April-2025: In a bold move shaking the global economy, President Donald Trump has announced sweeping 10% universal tariffs on all imported goods, with additional "reciprocal tariffs" targeting countries he claims have taken advantage of the US. ๐๏ธ๐ฐ The announcement, made on what Trump dubbed "liberation day," marks a radical shift in decades of US trade policy. #TradeWars #TrumpTariffs
๐ The 10% universal tariff is set to take effect on April 5, with reciprocal tariffs following on April 9. Trump, speaking before a backdrop of nine giant ๐บ๐ธ US flags and an enthusiastic crowd of hard-hat union workers, declared this "one of the most important days in American history." ๐๏ธ๐ค He claimed the US has been "looted, pillaged, and raped" by its trading partners and vowed to restore fairness. #AmericaFirst #GoldenAge
๐ Trump showcased a chart listing alleged "unfair" tariffs imposed on the US, stating: ๐จ๐ณ China โ 67% on US goods โก๏ธ US to impose 34% ๐ช๐บ EU โ 39% โก๏ธ Now levied at 20% ๐ฌ๐ง UK โ 10% baseline tariff Canada ๐จ๐ฆ and Mexico ๐ฒ๐ฝ received special exemptions due to existing trade deals. However, the EU and Canada have pledged retaliatory measures, setting the stage for a potential trade war. ๐๐ฃ #GlobalTrade #USvsWorld
๐ ๏ธ Trumpโs tariffs also target industry-specific barriers, criticizing the EUโs ban on ๐บ๐ธ chicken, Canadaโs dairy tariffs, and Japanโs levies on rice. He described his strategy as "common sense reciprocal tariffs," emphasizing that "if they do it to us, we do it to them." #FairTrade #TariffBattle
๐ The financial world is reacting with caution. US stock markets closed slightly up, but major indices have suffered their worst quarter in two years. Economists from Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan have warned that the uncertainty surrounding Trumpโs tariff policies increases the likelihood of a recession. ๐๐ต Meanwhile, consumer confidence has plummeted to its lowest in four years. #StockMarket #EconomicOutlook
๐ Trump has also imposed a 25% tariff on imported vehicles, set to begin this Thursday. Energy imports from Canada will now face a 10% duty, further complicating trade relations. As global leaders, including Canadaโs ๐จ๐ฆ PM Mark Carney and EU officials, promise retaliatory tariffs, the world braces for potential economic fallout. #TradeWar #TrumpEconomy
๐ฃ "These tariffs will bring manufacturing back to the US and create an economic boom like never before," Trump claimed. But polls show that only 28% of Americans believe tariffs help the economy. As trade partners prepare countermeasures, will this move fuel a new golden age or a global trade crisis? โณ๐ #TariffsDebate #EconomicShift
๐ฅ2-April-2025: Conservative media giant Newsmax has taken Wall Street by storm, with its stock value soaring 2,200% since its Monday debut! ๐ฐ Originally priced at $10, shares ended Tuesday at a jaw-dropping $233, pushing its market value close to $30 billionโoutshining Fox Corp, Warner Bros Discovery, and Paramount Global. ๐ฅ๐ก #Newsmax #MediaRevolution #StockSurge
๐บ๐ธ Newsmax, known for its close ties to Donald Trump, has been a favorite among conservative viewers. The surge in share price has catapulted its founder, Christopher Ruddy, into billionaire status with an estimated net worth exceeding $9 billion. ๐ฆ๐ #TrumpEffect #MemeStockMania
๐น Analysts compare this wild stock rally to the GameStop frenzy, where retail investors fueled meme-stock surges. ๐ The trend highlights the increasing influence of independent traders in global markets. ๐๐ #WallStreet #Investing #MemeStocks
๐บ Founded in 1998 as an online platform, Newsmax expanded into cable news in 2014. Its audience skyrocketed in 2020 after Trumpโs endorsement, as he grew frustrated with Fox News. ๐ฅ Despite speculation, CEO Ruddy has insisted that Newsmax is not "Trump TV". ๐๏ธ๐บ๐ธ #ConservativeMedia #TVNews
โ๏ธ However, Newsmax recently settled a $40M lawsuit over false election claims related to Smartmatic. The company now joins other conservative ventures like Rumble Inc and Trump Media & Technology Group on the stock exchange. ๐ต๐ผ #ElectionNews #MediaLawsuit
๐ข As the political and media landscape shifts, will Newsmax continue its meteoric rise or face turbulence ahead? Stay tuned! ๐ค๐ก๐ฅ #News #Stocks #TrumpMedia ๐บ๐ธ๐บ
31-March-2025: In a historic move, OpenAI has secured a staggering $40bn investment from Japanโs ๐ฏ๐ต SoftBank, marking the largest-ever capital raise for a startup! The ChatGPT maker is now valued at an eye-watering $300bn. ๐ฆ๐ก #AIRevolution #SoftBank #OpenAI #TechFunding
๐ง SoftBank aims to develop โartificial super intelligenceโ (ASI) that surpasses human capabilities. The first phase of funding injects $10bn, with an additional $30bn planned by the end of 2025. OpenAI, in turn, promises to push AI research to new frontiers and bring AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) closer to reality. ๐๏ธโ๏ธ #ArtificialSuperIntelligence #AGI #FutureTech
๐ Meanwhile, OpenAI is shifting gears in the open-source AI space, challenging its past closed-model approach. Facing competition from Metaโs ๐บ๐ธ Llama and Chinaโs ๐จ๐ณ DeepSeek, CEO Sam Altman announced a more open generative AI model initiative. ๐ป๐ #OpenSourceAI #AICompetition #SamAltman
๐ This move has sparked debates, with Elon Musk ๐๏ธ calling for OpenAIโs return to its open-source roots. While OpenAI and Google argue that closed models ensure security, companies like Meta and DeepSeek allow businesses to modify and control AI. ๐๐ #AIethics #MuskVsOpenAI #Google #Meta
๐จ OpenAIโs recent image-generation features in ChatGPT have been a viral sensation, adding 1 million users in an hour! However, this surge has overwhelmed its graphics processing units (GPUs). ๐๐ฅ #ChatGPT #AITrends #TechBoom
โก The race for AI dominance is heating up! Will OpenAIโs $40bn SoftBank boost cement its leadership, or will challengers like DeepSeek and Meta reshape the game? Stay tuned! ๐ญ๐ข #FutureOfAI #TechWars #SiliconValley #SoftBankInvests
30-March-2025: Stock markets across Asia ๐ฏ๐ต๐ญ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ท tumbled on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump hinted that his upcoming tariff plan would target all countries, not just those with major trade imbalances. The announcement comes ahead of what he calls "America's Liberation Day" on Wednesday, when he is set to impose sweeping new import taxes. ๐จ๐บ๐ธ #TradeWar #GlobalMarkets
Japanโs Nikkei 225 fell by 4%, Hong Kongโs Hang Seng dropped 1.6%, and South Koreaโs Kospi lost 2.5%, as investors braced for potential economic turbulence. ๐๐ #StockMarketCrash #EconomicUncertainty
Trump's tariffs, which build on existing levies on steel, aluminium, and vehicles, are expected to generate $600 billion annually, according to White House trade adviser Pete Navarro. He claimed that taxing all car imports alone could bring in $100 billion per year. ๐ต๐ #TariffImpact #TrumpEconomics
While Trump argues that the tariffs will protect U.S. jobs, his plan has triggered global concerns. The EU ๐ช๐บ and Canada ๐จ๐ฆ have already vowed retaliatory measures, escalating fears of a full-scale trade war. ๐ฅโ๏ธ #Retaliation #TradeTensions
In a separate move, Trump also reaffirmed that a TikTok ๐จ๐ณ deal will be finalized before his April 5th deadline. If the Chinese-owned app isnโt sold to a non-Chinese buyer, it faces a ban in the U.S. due to national security concerns. โณ๐ฑ #TikTokBan #USChinaRelations
As the world watches, investors and policymakers brace for the fallout from Trumpโs economic shake-up, with fears of a global recession growing. ๐๐ธ #FinancialMarkets #RecessionRisk
29-March-2025: As the US president ๐บ๐ธ Donald Trump prepares to impose a 25% tariff on British cars, steel, and aluminum โ๏ธ, UK Prime Minister ๐ฌ๐ง Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure to respond forcefully. ๐จ Senior UK and EU diplomats are urging Starmer to adopt a "robust" approach similar to ๐จ๐ฆ Canada's Mark Carney, who successfully warned Trump against tariffs with a strong retaliatory stance. ๐ฒ๐จ๐ช
Can Starmer defend the UK economy, or will he adopt a more "pragmatic" wait-and-see strategy? ๐๐ #TradeWar #TrumpTariffs #UKEconomy
With a possible ๐ 1% GDP drop and the loss of ยฃ9.9 billion in fiscal headroom due to Trump's tariff threats ๐จ, UK citizens are increasingly pessimistic about the economy. ๐ฎ
A new Opinium poll reveals that 61% of Britons expect the economy to worsen in the next year, with only 11% expecting improvement. ๐ Meanwhile, confidence in the UK economy is trailing behind ๐จ๐ณ China and the ๐บ๐ธ US.
Will Starmer take a hard stance against Trump's tariffs, or will he risk further economic decline? ๐ก๐ช #UKEconomy #TrumpVsUK #EconomicCrisis
The latest US trade policy could trigger a global trade war ๐๐ฅ, with Trump proposing a 25% blanket tariff on all countries imposing VAT on US exports. ๐ฐโ๏ธ This puts the UK and EU ๐ช๐บ in direct conflict with Washington. ๐ชโก๏ธ
Former UK ambassador Kim Darroch warns that if Starmer fails to hit back, Trump may keep using tariffs as leverage, repeatedly targeting British industries. ๐๏ธ๐ Will the UK retaliate, or bow to pressure? ๐บโ๏ธ #TradeWar #TrumpTariffs #UKvsUS
Canadian PM Mark Carney has shown how to stand up to Trump: strong rhetoric, firm threats, and a warning of counter-tariffs ๐ช๐ผ. His strategy has boosted his Liberal Party in the polls, reversing a 14-point deficit against conservatives to an 8-point lead. ๐๐ช
Will Starmer take inspiration from Canada and show Trump that the UK wonโt back down? ๐๐ #TradePolicy #TrumpVsUK #BrexitEconomy
29-March-2025:๐ฐ In a stunning corporate shake-up, Elon Muskโs xAI has officially acquired X (formerly Twitter) for $33 billion! This move further consolidates Muskโs AI ambitions and strengthens his control over the social media giant. ๐บ๐ธ๐ #ElonMusk #xAI #XPlatform
๐ก The merger allows Musk to integrate Grok AI deeper into X, leveraging its vast data and distribution capabilities. โThe combination values xAI at $80B and X at $33B ($45B less $12B debt),โ Musk posted on X. ๐๐ฅ
๐คฏ Experts are calling the deal โunexpected,โ but analysts suggest it was a strategic move to bolster AI dominance. ๐ค๐ฅ Musk previously attempted to acquire OpenAI but was rebuffed. Now, xAI is ramping up efforts with its supercomputer Colossus in Tennessee. ๐บ๐ธ๐ฌ #ArtificialIntelligence #TechRevolution
๐ฐ The acquisition comes after Muskโs 2022 takeover of Twitter for $44B. Since then, he has reshaped the platform, cut staff, and faced lawsuits. Meanwhile, X has seen advertisers return, fueling a financial rebound. ๐โก๏ธ๐
๐ With this latest move, Musk further cements his influence in AI, social media, and global tech. Will this be the next big leap or another wild Musk experiment? Stay tuned! ๐๐ #TechNews #SocialMedia #AIWars
28-March-2025:๐๐บ๐ธ In a stunning fall from grace, Charlie Javice, the once-celebrated founder of student loan startup Frank, has been found guilty of defrauding JPMorgan Chase of a staggering $175 million. The 32-year-old entrepreneur, who once graced the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, now faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence. โ๏ธโ๏ธ
๐ Javiceโs company claimed to revolutionize financial aid applications, boasting a customer base of over 4 millionโa number later exposed as wildly exaggerated. JPMorgan, believing in the startupโs potential, acquired Frank in 2021, only to uncover that the actual number of customers was closer to 300,000. ๐๐ฅ
๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ Testimonies during the five-week trial in New York City revealed shocking details, including claims that Javice paid a college friend $18,000 to generate fake user data. Frankโs former chief engineer, Patrick Vovor, testified that he refused to create synthetic data, citing legal concerns. ๐จ
๐ Defense attorney Jose Baez argued that JPMorgan had โbuyerโs remorseโ after regulatory changes affected the bankโs plans to target young customers. However, prosecutors maintained that Javiceโs fraud was a deliberate deception to inflate the company's worth. ๐ฆโ ๏ธ
๐ฅ This case adds Javiceโs name to the growing list of young tech entrepreneurs facing fraud scandals, joining the ranks of Elizabeth Holmes and Sam Bankman-Fried. What once seemed like a financial revolution has now ended in legal turmoil. ๐๐
๐ข Stay tuned for further updates on this high-profile fraud case! ๐ฐโ๏ธ #CharlieJavice #StudentLoanFraud #JPMorgan #StartupScandal #ForbesUnder30 #FinancialCrime
26-March-2025:๐ด Washington, D.C. โ U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping 25% tariff on all foreign-made cars, escalating tensions in the global automotive industry. ๐ข The move, which he called โvery exciting,โ will take effect on April 2, adding pressure on major car-exporting nations. #TrumpTariffs #TradeWar #AutoIndustry
๐จ๐ฆ Canadaโs Prime Minister Mark Carney slammed the decision as a โdirect attackโ on Canadian workers. โWe will defend our country together,โ he vowed. Meanwhile, ๐ฏ๐ต Japanโs PM Shigeru Ishiba warned of โappropriate measuresโ in response to the levy. #CanadaVsTariffs #JapanResponds
๐ The impact was immediate: Toyota shares fell 3.7% in Tokyo, while ๐ฐ๐ท Hyundai stocks slid 3.4%. Investors fear rising costs for American consumers, with reports suggesting U.S. car prices could increase by $12,000. #StockMarketCrash #TariffImpact
Experts warn that the policy may backfire. A Harris poll found 90% of Democrats, 69% of Independents, and 57% of Republicans worry about its financial impact. Yet, Trump remains defiant, posting on Truth Social: โHave no fear, we will WIN everything!!!โ ๐บ๐ธ๐ช #TradeBattle #AmericaFirst
๐ The world watches as Mexico, Germany, and South Korea consider their next moves. Will this tariff spark a global trade war? ๐จ Stay tuned for updates! #GlobalTrade #AutoCrisis #EconomicShock
26-March-2025:๐ฅ The legendary music brand Napster, once synonymous with music piracy, has been sold for $207 million to tech startup Infinite Reality. The company announced plans to transform Napster into an immersive social music platform, allowing artists to connect with fans like never before. ๐ถ๐ก #NapsterRevolution #StreamingFuture
๐ฌ โMusic streaming has remained largely the same, but itโs time to reimagine whatโs possible,โ said Napsterโs CEO, Jon Vlassopulos. Infinite Reality aims to introduce 3D virtual spaces where fans can attend digital concerts and artists can sell both physical and digital merchandise. ๐๏ธ๐ค #MusicMeetsMetaverse #NapsterEvolved
๐ Artists will gain access to advanced analytics to understand listener behavior, helping them monetize their music more effectively. Infinite Realityโs Chief Business Officer, Amish Shah, emphasized the platformโs commitment to empowering musicians. ๐ฐ๐ #ArtistsFirst #NextGenStreaming
๐ฐ๏ธ Napsterโs journey began in 1999 when Shawn Fanning and Sean Parker launched it as a peer-to-peer file-sharing network. After facing lawsuits from the music industry and Metallica, it was shut down in the early 2000s. Rhapsody later revived the brand as a streaming service in 2011. Now, Napster is preparing for its biggest transformation yet! ๐๐ง #FromPiracyToProgress #Napster2024
25-March-2025:๐บ๐ธ U.S. ECONOMIC RESURGENCE: Since the 2017 corporate tax overhaul, the Trump administration's pro-growth policies have catalyzed a historic $3 trillion in domestic and foreign direct investment. The reversal of Obama-era tax disadvantages (21% corporate rate vs. Ireland's 12%) has successfully repatriated hundreds of corporations, marking the largest capital repatriation wave in modern economic history. Analysts project further acceleration as policy certainty attracts additional manufacturing and tech investments. #EconomicGrowth #ForeignDirectInvestment #TaxReformWins
๐ฌ๐ง UK BUSINESS CLIMATE DETERIORATES: Contrasting sharply with U.S. gains, Britain's Labour government faces mounting criticism as 203,000 businesses have shuttered since taking office - equivalent to 125 closures per hour. The exodus of high-net-worth individuals (one millionaire every 45 minutes) and collapsing SME sector point to systemic policy failures. Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces mounting pressure as capital flight threatens to erase ยฃ85 billion from the UK economy annually. #BusinessClosures #CapitalFlight #UKRecessionWatch
๐จ๐ฆ CANADIAN LEADERSHIP CRISIS: Prime Minister Mark Carney's abrupt election call (April 28) follows deteriorating U.S.-Canada relations, with Trump imposing reciprocal tariffs on what he calls "decades of trade exploitation." Leaked memos suggest 47% of Canadian manufacturers are now considering relocating operations southward, drawn by lower taxes and energy costs. Market analysts warn that Carney's combative stance may accelerate rather than prevent economic integration with the U.S. #TradeWar #ManufacturingExodus #NorthAmericanEconomy
The widening policy divergence between America's business-friendly environment and European/Canadian regulatory regimes is creating the most significant capital reallocation event since 2008. S&P 500 firms with domestic exposure are outperforming international peers by 19% YTD, while the FTSE 100 and TSX continue bleeding valuations. Investors are advised to monitor: 1) Reshoring announcements 2) Corporate tax differentials 3) Talent migration patterns #GlobalMarkets #InvestmentStrategy #EconomicPolicy
๐ก **The Bottom Line?** Trumpโs **pro-business leadership = JOBS & GROWTH** ๐บ๐ธโจ, while UK & Canadaโs **tax-and-regulate agendas = ECONOMIC COLLAPSE** ๐๐จ #GlobalEconomy #TrumpEffect
25-March-2025: โก Teslaโs dominance in Europe is slipping fast! The US-based EV giant saw a staggering 44% drop in sales last month across 25 European markets, including the ๐ช๐บ EU, ๐ฌ๐ง UK, ๐ณ๐ด Norway, and ๐จ๐ญ Switzerland. With fewer than 16,000 vehicles sold, Teslaโs market share has dipped to its lowest February level in five years. ๐๐ฌ
๐ง Analysts link this slump to a consumer backlash over Elon Muskโs political affiliations, including his role in Donald Trumpโs administration ๐บ๐ธ and support for Germanyโs far-right AfD party ๐ฉ๐ช. Tesla dealerships have also faced protests over Muskโs controversial statements. ๐จ๐ข
๐ฐ Meanwhile, Teslaโs biggest rival, Chinaโs BYD ๐จ๐ณ, has overtaken the company in global revenue, topping $100 billion in 2024. BYDโs European sales soared 94% ๐, signaling a major shift in the EV market. Volkswagen ๐ฉ๐ช also reported a 180% increase in battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales, while BMW and Mini sold nearly 19,000 EVs. ๐๐
๐ However, some analysts argue that the Model Y revamp may also be affecting Teslaโs sales. The company is phasing out the existing version ahead of a major update, which could temporarily impact registrations. ๐๏ธ๐ง
๐ Despite Teslaโs stock value standing at a massive $780 billion, its share price has plunged over a third in 2025, while BYDโs market value surged 50% this year. With the EV landscape shifting, is Tesla losing its grip on the global market? โณ
๐ #TeslaCrisis #EVRevolution #MuskVsBYD #ElonMusk #TrumpEffect ๐๐ฅ
24-March-2025: Chinese auto giant BYD has officially overtaken Tesla in revenue and sales for 2024, cementing its dominance in the electric vehicle market! ๐๐ With a staggering 777 billion yuan ($107bn) in revenue, BYD outpaced Teslaโs $97.69bn, solidifying its position as a global EV leader. #BYDvsTesla ๐บ๐ธ๐จ๐ณ
๐ป BYDโs total vehicle deliveries surged to 4.27 million, nearly matching Ford, while Tesla sold 1.79 million EVs. The Chinese automaker is now aiming for a record-breaking 5-6 million vehicle sales in 2025! ๐ #ElectricCars
BYD shook the industry with its latest breakthroughโa 1,000 kW fast-charging system that could charge an EV as quickly as refueling a petrol car! โฝโก Thatโs twice as fast as Teslaโs superchargers and a game-changer for global EV adoption. ๐๐
The new tech will be introduced in the Han L sedan and Tang L SUV, both capable of traveling 400 km (249 miles) on just a 5-minute charge. BYDโs founder Wang Chuanfu emphasized that this is the first-ever megawatt-level charging power in the industry. #FastCharge #NextGenEVs ๐๐จ
While BYD soared, Tesla struggled! ๐ Elon Muskโs company saw its share price plunge 5.5% on Tuesday, adding to Mondayโs 4.8% drop. Teslaโs valuation has fallen by 44% in 2025, with investors concerned about declining sales and missed targets. ๐จ๐ฐ #TeslaTrouble
Meanwhile, BYDโs Hong Kong-listed shares surged 4.1% to a record high of 408.80 HKD. Investors are betting on BYDโs expansion into Europe with its Dolphin and Seal models. ๐๐ช๐บ #EVMarket
In a Tesla-style move, BYD announced plans to install 4,000 ultra-fast โflash-charging stationsโ across China! ๐จ๐ณ๐ The company aims to solve charging anxiety and accelerate the global shift to EVs. BYDโs rise signals a major shift in the battle for EV supremacy! ๐โก #BYDvsTesla #EVFuture
24-March-2025: The Irish government has sounded the alarm, warning that up to 80,000 jobs could be lost if U.S. President Donald Trump follows through with a trade war against the EU. ๐ช๐บ๐ฅ The potential job losses account for nearly half of Ireland's multinational workforce, with major U.S. pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer and Eli Lilly in the spotlight. ๐โ ๏ธ #TradeWar #JobsCrisis #GlobalEconomy
๐ In the worst-case scenario, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe warned that between 50,000 and 80,000 jobs could vanish. Irelandโs Enterprise Minister Peter Burke pushed back against accusations from U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick that ๐ฎ๐ช Ireland was running a "tax scam." ๐ซ๐ฐ #IrelandEconomy #TrumpTariffs #TradeBattles
๐ Lutnick claimed that Irelandโs budget surplus of ๐ต $60bn was part of a tax manipulation strategyโan assertion Ireland strongly denied. Official figures show that in 2024, ๐ฎ๐ช Ireland had a โฌ25bn surplus, mainly due to a one-off โฌ14bn tax windfall from Apple. ๐๐ธ #TaxDebate #IrelandFinance
โ๏ธ Trump has vowed to introduce new tariffs on the EU starting April 2, calling it "liberation day". ๐ฏ๐ One of the hardest-hit industries could be Irish whiskey ๐ฅ, with potential tariffs reaching a staggering 200% as part of a tit-for-tat trade escalation. Ireland exports โฌ800m worth of alcohol to the U.S. annually, with brands like Jameson, Teeling, and Connemara at risk. ๐พ๐ฎ๐ช๐บ๐ธ #WhiskeyWar #TradeTensions
๐ Last week, the Economic and Social Research Institute warned that under a full-blown trade war, the Irish economy could shrink by up to 3.7%. Sinn Fรฉinโs Pearse Doherty has called for Brexit-style support measures for businesses that would be affected by the looming crisis. ๐ฆ๐ผ #EconomyWatch #IrelandVsTrump #GlobalMarkets
24-March-2025: The UKโs private sector growth has surged to a six-month high in March, providing a much-needed boost for Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of the Spring Statement. While manufacturing is struggling, the services sector is thriving, pushing the UK PMI Composite Output Index to 52.0 ๐, the highest level since September! โฌ๏ธ ๐ก Key Highlights: โ๏ธ Services PMI: 53.2 (Feb: 51.0) โ A 7-month high! ๐ฏ โ๏ธ Manufacturing Output: 44.6 (Feb: 47.3) โ A 17-month low ๐ โ๏ธ Manufacturing PMI: 44.6 (Feb: 46.9) โ An 18-month low โ ๐ข S&P Global attributes the services sector rebound to increased domestic and overseas sales, while manufacturers struggle with rising global uncertainty and potential US tariffs ๐บ๐ธ. ๐ผ However, private sector employment is declining for the sixth month due to restructuring and rising payroll costs. Experts warn that while this growth is encouraging, it doesnโt guarantee a full recovery just yet! โณ ๐ Challenges Ahead: ๐ High business costs due to tax hikes ๐ฆ ๐ Low confidence among businesses and households ๐ ๐ Uncertainty over US tariff policies affecting exports ๐ #UKEconomy ๐ฌ๐ง #PrivateSectorGrowth ๐ #PMIReport ๐ #BusinessBoost ๐ฐ #ReevesEconomy ๐ผ #ManufacturingCrisis โ๏ธ
๐ข Great news for homebuyers! The Office for National Statistics reports that housing affordability in England and Wales has returned to pre-pandemic levels ๐. ๐ The median house price in England now stands at ยฃ290,000 (7.7 times the median salary of ยฃ37,600). In Wales, the average home costs ยฃ201,000 (5.9 times annual earnings). ๐ก Key Findings: โ๏ธ 91% of local authorities saw improved affordability โ โ๏ธ Most affordable areas: Blaenau Gwent (3.8x), Burnley (3.9x), Blackpool (3.9x) ๐ก โ๏ธ Least affordable: Kensington & Chelsea (27.1x) ๐ฒ ๐ก House prices have only risen 1% since 2021, while wages have increased by 20%, making homeownership slightly more achievable! ๐ #UKHousingMarket ๐ก #HomeAffordability ๐ #RealEstateTrends ๐ฐ #HousePrices ๐
๐ German software giant SAP has overtaken Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk to become Europeโs most valuable company! ๐ฐ ๐ Market Cap: SAP ๐ป - $340bn vs Novo Nordisk ๐ - slightly less ๐ SAPโs cloud computing business is booming thanks to the AI revolution ๐ค, pushing its stock up 10% this year and nearly 40% over 12 months! Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk has faced headwinds due to weaker sales of its popular weight-loss drug Wegovy. #SAPTech ๐ป #AIRevolution ๐ค #NovoNordisk ๐ #MarketLeaders ๐
๐ข The Bank of England is testing the UKโs top seven banks against a severe global financial shock to ensure stability in turbulent times! ๐๐ธ โ ๏ธ The stress test will simulate: โ๏ธ A 5% drop in UK GDP ๐ โ๏ธ A deep global recession ๐ โ๏ธ Market turbulence impacting financial institutions ๐ฅ ๐ก The goal? To ensure UK banks remain resilient even in worst-case scenarios! ๐ฆ๐ช #BankStressTest ๐ฆ #FinancialStability ๐ธ #UKEconomy ๐ฌ๐ง
21-March-2025: Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, is considering charging UK users for an ad-free experience ๐ฏ. This follows a legal settlement where the tech giant agreed to stop targeting a human rights campaigner with personalized ads after a high-profile privacy case in London โ๏ธ๐๏ธ. #PrivacyMatters #Meta #Facebook #Instagram
Tanya OโCarroll, who sued Meta in 2022, claimed the company violated UK data laws by refusing to respect her right to opt out of data-driven advertising ๐๐. In a major privacy win, Meta settled the case, committing to halt ad targeting based on her personal data. The UKโs Information Commissionerโs Office (ICO) backed her stance, reinforcing that individuals have the right to refuse their data being used for marketing ๐ข๐ก๏ธ. #DataProtection #GDPR #TechNews
Following the settlement, Meta confirmed it is exploring a paid subscription model in the UK, similar to the โฌ7.99 ad-free service it launched in the EU ๐ช๐บ๐ณ. With advertising making up 98% of its revenue, the move signals a shift in its business model to navigate privacy regulations ๐๐. #SocialMedia #DigitalPrivacy #TechPolicy
19-March-2025:๐ The legendary 3ft-tall ET: The Extra-Terrestrial model, last seen bidding farewell to Earth ๐, is heading to Sothebyโs auction this April โ with an estimated price tag of up to $1 million! ๐ต๐ฅ
๐ฌ Created by Oscar-winning special effects artist Carlo Rambaldi, this model was one of three used in Steven Spielbergโs 1982 classic, which won four Academy Awards. ๐โจ The sale is part of โThere are Such Things: 20th Century Horror, Science Fiction, and Fantasy on Screenโโa collectorโs dream featuring rare costumes, props, and sketches. ๐๏ธ๐
๐ The design of ETโs face was famously inspired by Albert Einstein, Ernest Hemingway, Carl Sandburg, and even Rambaldiโs family cat! ๐ฑ๐ก His daughter, Daniela Rambaldi, hopes the model will โcontinue to inspire and captivate future generations.โ ๐ ๐
๐ฆ Also up for grabs? Two original sandworm models from David Lynchโs Dune ๐๏ธ, plus unseen sketches from ET. This auction is a must-watch for sci-fi and Hollywood fans alike! ๐ญ๐
๐ฅ Bidding opens March 21 and closes April 3. Will ET phone homeโฆ or land in a new collectorโs hands? Stay tuned! ๐๐ฝ๐ซ #ETAuction #HollywoodHistory #SciFiLegends #StevenSpielberg #Sothebys #FilmMemorabilia ๐ฅ๐
19-March-2025:๐ฐ The Federal Reserve has downgraded its US economic growth forecast and raised its inflation projection, citing โremarkably highโ uncertainty due to President ๐บ๐ธ Donald Trumpโs sweeping tariffs. ๐๐ต
๐ Inflation is now expected to rise to 2.7% this year, up from a previous forecast of 2.5%, while GDP growth has been slashed from 2.1% to 1.7%. Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned that the economic landscape remains unpredictable as the White House reshapes global trade. ๐๐
๐ฆ The Fed kept interest rates steady at 4.25%-4.5% but hinted at two potential cuts later this year. Meanwhile, the Bank of England is expected to hold UK rates at 4.5% in its upcoming decision. ๐ฌ๐ง๐
๐ฅ While Trump argues that higher tariffs will โrebalance the global stageโ and boost US revenue, economists fear they may worsen inflation and disrupt markets. Surveys indicate growing uncertainty among businesses and consumers. ๐ค๐
๐ Despite the cautionary outlook, Wall Street reacted positively, with the S&P 500 closing up 1.1% and the Nasdaq Composite rising 1.4%. ๐๐ผ
๐ Will Trumpโs aggressive trade policies spark an economic boom or fuel further instability? Stay tuned for the unfolding financial battle! โก๐ธ #TrumpTariffs #FederalReserve #USEconomy #Inflation #InterestRates #GDP #WallStreet ๐บ๐ธ๐
19-March-2025:๐ The European Commission has accused US tech giants Google and Apple of breaching the Digital Markets Act (DMA), risking massive fines and intensifying transatlantic tensions with ๐บ๐ธ President Donald Trump. ๐๐ธ
โ๏ธ The EU alleges that Google prioritizes its own services in search results, violating fair competition rules, while Apple is under fire for restricting rival devices from accessing its ecosystem. Breaching the DMA can result in fines of up to 10%-20% of global revenue โ meaning Apple could face penalties nearing $80 billion! ๐๐ฅ
๐ฑ The Commission demands Apple allow third-party devices to connect with iPhones and iPads, ensuring fair market competition. Meanwhile, Google Play is accused of blocking developers from offering better deals outside its app store. ๐๐ต
๐ฌ Apple slammed the decision, stating it "wraps us in red tape" and stifles innovation, while Google warned that the forced changes could hurt European businesses. ๐๏ธ EU competition chief Teresa Ribera defended the move, stating that Brussels is "simply implementing the law." โ๏ธโ๏ธ
๐บ๐ธ Trump has hinted at retaliatory tariffs if the EU moves forward with stricter regulations, signaling a potential US-EU trade battle. Meanwhile, Meta (Facebook & Instagram) is also under scrutiny over its controversial "pay or consent" advertising model. ๐ฅ๐คฏ
๐ With global tech giants at odds with European regulators, the battle over digital dominance is heating up! Will the EUโs crackdown reshape the future of tech? ๐ค๐ป #BigTech #EUvsGoogle #Apple #DMA #DigitalRegulation #TechNews #Trump ๐ช๐บ๐บ๐ธ