Source: Reuters
Security & Justice
State Action Signals Change in Tackling Longstanding Illegal Land Grabs in Jbeil District
For years, the serene villages of Jbeil's highlands have been far from peaceful. Ghabat, a Maronite village nestled between the predominantly Shiite towns of Afqa and Lassa, has become a focal point of growing tensions due to territorial disputes.
Friday, December 20, 2024
Mawlawi Ensures Strict Monitoring for Wanted Syrian Regime Figures at Beirut Airport
Caretaker Minister of Interior, Bassam Mawlawi, conducted an inspection tour of Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut to review the security arrangements and measures implemented by the Airport Security Apparatus ahead of the holiday season.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Opinion
Lebanon After the Assads
The United States has important equities in Lebanon, including a desire for a generally friendly government’s economic and political stability; security cooperation; long-standing relations with the large Christian community in Lebanon and Lebanese diaspora in the United States; and ultimately peace between Israel and Lebanon within a broader regional settlement. Achieving these objectives will require navigating a tumultuous period in the country’s history following a war between Hezbollah and Israel that has devastated a large part of the country, exacerbating Lebanon’s already challenging economic conditions. But perhaps the most important dynamic will be how a likely Sunni-dominated state of uncertain composition in Syria will differ in its intentions toward Lebanon from the previous Alawite-led minoritarian Assad regime.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Europe’s Syrian Dilemma
The news of the sudden and unexpected demise of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has met a mixed response in Europe. The jubilation that a murderous dictator and close ally of Russia and Iran has fallen is not just good for the Syrian people but serves as a morale booster for Eastern Europeans wondering whether Russia can be defeated
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo Unveils New Private Jet Worth $73 Million
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the richest global athletes, has unveiled his upgraded private jet reportedly worth $73 million. With its top-notch design, exceptional speed and range of 7500 nautical miles, the Gulfstream G650 is among the fastest jets in the world.
Monday, December 16, 2024
Guardiola Accepts Man City May Need to Sign More Players to Cope with Schedule
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes he will need a bigger squad to handle soccer’s ever-expanding fixture schedule.
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Wednesday 22 May 2024 12:39:27
Gold Prices Ease as Focus Turns to U.S. Fed Minutes
Gold prices inched down but hovered above the key $2,400 level on Wednesday, as investors awaited minutes from the Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting for fresh signals on the timing of U.S. interest rate cuts.
Spot gold was 0.3% lower at $2,415.33 per ounce, as of 0733 GMT. Bullion hit a record high of $2,449.89 on Monday.
U.S. gold futures were down 0.3% at $2,419.00.
One of the "factors supporting gold is fiat currency debasement undertaken by the U.S. and the developed nations due to the rising budget deficits," said Kelvin Wong, a senior market analyst for Asia Pacific at OANDA.
"There's a potential that stimulus fiscal policy will play a higher role in stimulating these countries, and if this takes shape, the confidence of the individual country currency will be eroded."
Minutes of the Fed's May policy meeting is due at 1800 GMT. Traders are currently pricing a 60% chance of a rate cut by September.
Recent data suggested U.S. inflation resumed its downward trend, but Fed policymakers said on Tuesday the central bank should wait several more months to ensure inflation really is back on track to its 2% target before cutting interest rates.
Lower interest rates and geopolitical uncertainty make bullion a favourable investment.
Gold has been solidifying above the $2,400 level ahead of a potentially looser interest rate environment later in the year, but for it to hit record highs, a pullback in the dollar or bond yields, or an increase in safe-haven demand may be required, said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.
Spot silver fell 0.8% to $31.71 after hitting an over 11-year high on Monday.
"Silver price is more momentum driven and the break out of major resistance level is more of a catch up play given resilient gold prices," OANDA's Wong said.
Platinum edged 0.1% lower to $1,045.35 and palladium dropped 1% to $1,017.00.
