Kyrgyzstan signs cooperation deals with China and Belarus at SCO forum
Kyrgyzstan has signed a series of cooperation agreements with China and Belarus at the Fifth Forum of Regional Leaders of Shanghai Cooperation Organis...
Gold prices were steady on Friday but remained on track for a weekly decline, as stronger-than-expected U.S. inflation data dampened expectations for interest rate cuts and shifted market attention to the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Spot gold was unchanged at $3,336.66 per ounce at 1:40 p.m. EDT (17:40 GMT), down 1.8% for the week, while U.S. gold futures ended almost flat at $3,382.6. The U.S. dollar weakened, making gold and other dollar-priced commodities more affordable for buyers using other currencies. Data released on Thursday showed U.S. producer prices in July rose at the fastest pace in three years. Traders now price in an 89.1% chance of a 25-basis-point Federal Reserve rate cut in September, down from about 95% before the data.
Following the release, non-yielding gold slipped 0.6%. Lukman Otunuga, senior research analyst at FXTM, warned that while prices stabilised on Friday, they could face further pressure depending on the outcome of the Trump–Putin summit in Alaska. Geopolitical uncertainty and lower interest rates typically support demand for gold.
Analysts at ANZ forecast that macroeconomic and geopolitical risks will grow in the second half of the year, bolstering gold’s safe-haven appeal. “The bullish outlook for gold remains, backed by the potential for higher tariffs, a slowing global economy, looser U.S. monetary policy, and sustained dollar weakness,” they said.
In other precious metals, spot silver dipped 0.1% to $37.96 per ounce, down 1% for the week. Platinum slid 1.5% to $1,336.80, and palladium dropped 2.6% to $1,116.52.
The U.S. and Iran have reportedly reached a preliminary 60-day ceasefire and nuclear talks deal, pending Donald Trump’s approval, Axios reports. Meanwhile, the GCC condemned Iran’s missile strike on a U.S. airbase in Kuwait, which Tehran said was retaliation for a U.S. strike near Bandar Abbas.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says ongoing conflict, funding pressures and international travel restrictions are complicating efforts to contain a fast-growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz has taken steps towards potentially declaring a state of emergency as anti-government protests intensify in the early months of his administration.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Kazakhstan on Wednesday for a three-day state visit focused on energy, transport and economic cooperation with one of Moscow’s closest regional partners.
Muslims around the world have marked Eid al-Adha with prayers, celebrations and acts of charity, though for many Palestinians the holiday unfolded amid conflict, restrictions and loss.
India is expected to experience its weakest monsoon in more than a decade in 2026, raising concerns over crop production, food prices and economic growth as the country also grapples with inflationary pressures linked to the Iran conflict.
Kenyan authorities have arrested eight students on suspicion of arson following a fire at a girls’ boarding school that killed 16, according to the country’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations. The blaze, which happened in Kenya's Rift Valley, also injured dozens of students.
The British government has unveiled 300,000 new work experience and training placements for young people after a major review warned that rising youth unemployment could leave more young people disconnected from work, education and training.
Billions of dollars' worth of gold continue to be extracted illegally from Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, according to a Greenpeace study, despite President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s pledges to curb wildcat mining.
Soaring temperatures across Europe have broken records in Portugal and sparked heat alerts in Italy and France, affecting events including the French Open tennis tournament.
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