Author: Andrew Rogers

Gold prices surged to an all-time high on Tuesday, breaking the $3,500 mark for the first time. Investors reacted to recent US trade moves, a weakening dollar, and expectations of a US interest rate cut later this month. The spot price of gold rose 0.9 percent to $3,508.70 per troy ounce in early Asian trading. It later trimmed gains slightly to $3,497. Analysts said rising demand reflects investors seeking protection against inflation and economic uncertainty. Concerns about the Federal Reserve’s independence have also fueled the rally. President Donald Trump recently criticized Fed Chair Jay Powell and attempted to remove Governor…

Costco is officially launching a new rule that gives Executive Members exclusive shopping hours starting September 1. The perk was first introduced in June, followed by a grace period, but it is now fully in effect. From today, customers with the Executive Membership can enter Costco stores between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on weekdays. On Saturdays, the exclusive window is shortened to 30 minutes, allowing Executive Members to shop from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. All other shoppers are permitted entry starting at 10 a.m. on weekdays and 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays. The policy has drawn mixed reactions from…

Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler, the senior member of New York’s congressional delegation, announced he will not run for reelection next year. The 78-year-old lawmaker said it was time for a generational change, allowing a younger leader to take the helm. In an interview published Monday, Nadler told the New York Times that he believes a new representative could bring fresh energy and help the district more effectively. He did not suggest a successor but mentioned that many of his allies may consider entering the race. The announcement comes shortly after 26-year-old Democrat Liam Elkind declared his candidacy, challenging Nadler in…

Small businesses and private nonprofits in Oregon can now access federal disaster loans to help recover from recent drought losses. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced these low-interest loans to support businesses affected by drought beginning June 17. The financial relief applies to multiple Oregon counties, including Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill. Several counties in Washington state are also included, such as Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum. SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofit organizations. Eligible nonprofits include…

Even small changes in interest rates can have big effects on homeowners and buyers. A quarter-point change may seem minor, but it can shift monthly payments, total loan costs, and even your ability to qualify for a home. Understanding these impacts can help you save money and make smarter decisions. Interest rates move with Federal Reserve decisions and the economy. Mortgage lenders adjust their rates accordingly. For buyers, knowing how these shifts affect finances is key. Interest rates are the cost of borrowing money. When rates rise, monthly payments go up. When rates fall, payments drop. For example, on a…

A video circulating online showing large crowds marching in Jakarta amid protests is not real. The footage, which appeared on August 25, 2025, was created using artificial intelligence, misleading viewers about the scale of the demonstrations. The video shows throngs of people in colorful university attire holding banners and walking toward the DPR building. Military troops with weapons are seen standing along the route. A voiceover in Indonesian claims, “Jakarta today! Thousands of students from various universities have started arriving, marching together toward the DPR building under tight military guard.” Authorities confirmed that the clip is AI-generated and does not…

US stock markets fell on Monday after a strong rebound on Friday, following comments by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Powell suggested a September interest rate cut is possible but not guaranteed, creating mixed reactions among investors. Last week, the US dollar dropped after Powell’s remarks at the Fed’s annual Jackson Hole symposium in Wyoming. On Monday, the dollar rebounded, and Treasury yields moved higher, signaling cautious market sentiment. Major banks, including Barclays, BNP Paribas, and Deutsche Bank, now anticipate a 25-basis-point cut from the Fed in September. Futures traders are pricing in an 84% chance of a September rate…

The United States will impose a total 50% tariff on Indian goods starting tomorrow. The US government issued an official notification announcing an additional 25% penalty tariff. This new levy will take effect on August 27, 2025, at 12:01 AM Eastern Standard Time (9:31 AM Indian time). President Donald Trump first announced the tariff on August 6 as a penalty for India’s oil imports from Russia. Earlier, the US had already imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods starting August 7, citing trade imbalance. With the new penalty, the total tariff on Indian exports to the US will reach 50%.…

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, said on Monday that officials are “working very, very hard” to end the three-year war between Russia and Ukraine. Progress has been slow, raising doubts about a near-term peace settlement. Kellogg explained that officials aim to establish “security guarantees” that would reduce Ukraine’s fear of another Russian invasion in the future. He called the plan “a work in progress” after attending Ukraine’s National Prayer Breakfast with politicians, diplomats, and business leaders. Last week, Trump claimed he had set plans in motion for direct peace talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian…

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is set to fund a major upgrade of Pakistan’s railway network, stepping in after delays from China threatened crucial transport links for the country’s mining industry, sources said. Plans to modernize 1,800 km (1,118 miles) of railways were originally part of a $60 billion Chinese investment announced in 2015 under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. However, years of negotiations have yet to produce a financing package from China, the single largest project in the deal. Pakistan also faces challenges in repaying Chinese loans from other projects. Officials said the railway improvements have become urgent because…