Author: Jenna Rileson

With the intensifying trade tensions, two of the most budget-friendly online retailers—Temu and Shein—have announced imminent price increases for U.S. shoppers. The e-commerce giants, known for offering extremely low-cost products, will begin raising prices starting April 25. This decision follows a significant shift in U.S. trade policy under the Trump administration, including new, steep tariffs on Chinese imports and the removal of the “de minimis” customs exemption. This exemption previously allowed low-cost packages to bypass duties and detailed inspections—an advantage that’s now being taken away. In announcements shared on their platforms, both Temu and Shein pointed to growing operational costs…

In a move that brings relief to consumers and tech companies, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced exemptions from tariffs for a range of Chinese imports, including electronics such as smartphones and computers. The announcement follows weeks of concern over steep tariffs, which led to a surge in consumer demand as people rushed to buy electronics before price hikes took effect. Among the exempted items are flash drives, memory cards, SSDs, solar panels, semiconductors, and television displays. These exemptions apply to goods that departed warehouses on or after 12:01 AM (ET), April 5, 2025, according to CNBC.…

In Alaska, it’s not unusual to spot a car with a power cord sticking out from the front. At first glance, it might seem like an electric or hybrid vehicle, but that’s not the case. Unlike EVs that receive power for propulsion, these vehicles use the plug for an entirely different reason — to stay functional in extreme cold. These electrical cords, often mistaken for EV charging cables, are commonly found on combustion-engine vehicles in Alaska. But they aren’t there to fuel the engine. Instead, they’re connected to engine block heaters that help combat the brutal Alaskan winters. Their job…

The Dodge Scat Pack, known for decades as a hallmark of American muscle, is now back—this time in electric form. Originally introduced in 1968 and featured on legendary models like the Charger R/T and Challenger, the Scat Pack earned its name from the word “scat,” meaning to “get lost,” a nod to its sub-14-second quarter-mile prowess. However, legal troubles soon followed. Scat Enterprises filed a trademark suit in the early ’70s, forcing Dodge to halt sales by 1971. Though Chrysler’s 2013 attempt to revive the trademark was denied by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Dodge proceeded to use the…

While advanced lighting systems have made their way into vehicles across Europe, U.S. regulations haven’t kept pace — making many of these features illegal in America. However, electric automaker Rivian has managed to develop a system that complies with U.S. federal law, becoming the only brand currently offering Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) headlights legally in the United States. There’s only one problem. Our laws didn’t keep up to speed. Which means much of the latest tech available in Europe and elsewhere in the world, like in the latest Audi S5, is not legal in the US. Most manufacturers have simply…

The high-performance wagon segment in the U.S. gets a boost as Mercedes-AMG confirms the E53 Wagon is coming stateside. This move follows the earlier launch of the BMW M5 Touring and marks another option for enthusiasts seeking utility with serious speed. Mercedes has revealed limited details so far, but the U.S.-spec E53 will mirror its European counterpart, riding on standard 20-inch wheels with optional 21-inch versions. Buyers can further customize their ride with AMG Night, AMG Night Plus, and AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber packages. Inside, the automaker has yet to release complete specifications but confirmed standard MB-Tex and Microfiber upholstery…

America’s aging electric transmission infrastructure is under immense pressure and faces potential failure due to surging electricity demands, particularly from the rapidly expanding data center industry, according to utility leaders and federal regulators who convened in Colorado last week. More than 75 representatives from the electric transmission sector gathered for WIRES’ spring meeting — a major trade group for the transmission grid — held at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, where they tackled the challenges facing the U.S. grid. “Our transmission network is fundamental to powering our country and connecting communities across the country. We need to make sure…

A new Chinese-made cable, capable of supporting 8K wired connections, could soon render current Thunderbolt cables outdated. Engineered for ultra-high-resolution content and heavy power delivery, the 8K-capable cable aims to streamline setups for gamers, streamers, and high-performance users. The cable operates on a new standard named General Purpose Media Interface (GPMI), developed by the Shenzhen 8K UHD Video Industry Cooperation Alliance—a coalition of over 50 Chinese tech companies. Tailored for 8K video, the GPMI standard merges high-speed data transmission with high-wattage power delivery, aiming to reduce cable clutter. Two versions of the 8K cable are currently available. The first is…