Author: Andrew Rogers

The gold market surge is making 2025 a record-setting year for the yellow metal. Gold futures in New York have climbed nearly 71% so far, putting the precious metal on track for its best annual performance in 46 years. The last time gold had such gains was during Jimmy Carter’s presidency, amid high inflation, a Middle East crisis, and an energy shortage. Today, global uncertainty is driving investors toward gold. Tariffs affecting trade, Russia’s war in Ukraine, tensions between Israel and Iran, and U.S. oil seizures off Venezuela have heightened market risk. Gold is seen as a haven in times…

A Virginia family is suing Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, alleging bed bugs bit them during a transatlantic flight in March. The family claims the infestation caused injuries, humiliation, and financial losses during their planned vacation to Serbia. The Albuquerque family from Roanoke, Virginia, filed the complaint last week. It says the cabin was infested with bed bugs, which repeatedly bit the family during the flight. The bites caused welts, lesions, and rashes across their bodies, prompting both physical discomfort and emotional distress. The family—Romulo Albuquerque, his wife Lisandra Garcia, and their two children, Benicio and Lorenzo—began…

Los Angeles flooding storm has soaked Southern California, causing widespread flash floods and prompting urgent evacuation warnings. Torrential rain hit the region on Wednesday, with some areas receiving more than an inch of rain per hour. Officials warned residents to avoid roads and for those near wildfire-scarred foothills to evacuate immediately. The heavy rainfall came from an atmospheric river, a massive current of moist air flowing from the Pacific Ocean. This storm swept inland over the greater Los Angeles area, drenching communities during what is normally a busy holiday travel period. The U.S. National Weather Service described the storm conditions…

Yemen’s political tensions have escalated as the Southern Transitional Council (STC) takes full control of Hadramawt, the country’s largest and oil-rich province. The armed group’s move directly defied warnings from Saudi Arabia, which had declared Hadramawt a red line. Three weeks ago, STC forces unexpectedly seized key positions in Hadramawt near the Saudi border. Since then, the group has strengthened its hold on oil fields and main checkpoints, establishing a permanent administrative and military presence. According to a report on December 22, STC claims it has restored stability in the region and has not harassed civilians. In a video statement,…

Russia has captured another city in eastern Ukraine, intensifying the four-year conflict. The latest offensive has left civilians trapped under rubble and turned towns into war zones. The situation escalated just before the Christmas season, a time when peace was hoped for worldwide. Civilians, including children, have been severely affected by the attacks. According to Ukrainian military sources, their forces withdrew from the city of Siversk in the Donetsk region. In a statement shared on Telegram on December 23, Ukraine’s General Staff said Russian forces had a significant advantage in both manpower and weaponry. Continuous attacks, combined with harsh weather,…

The Guiyang-Pingtang Expressway in southwest China’s Guizhou Province is set to open after passing its final inspection on December 23, 2025. The new expressway marks an important step in improving regional travel, connecting cities, and boosting economic development across the province. The expressway starts from Yangchang Town in Wudang District of Guiyang City and ends at Yunyang Pass in Pingtang County of Qiannan Bouyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. It spans a total of 174.018 kilometers and is designed for speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour, allowing vehicles to travel more safely and efficiently across the mountainous terrain of…

Shenzhen is at the forefront of an economic slowdown spreading across Guangdong, a province once seen as China’s growth engine. Streets and shopping districts in both Shenzhen and Guangzhou, normally full of shoppers and commuters, now appear empty. Videos on Chinese social media show deserted malls, quiet business streets, and transit hubs with few people. Many stores are closed, while others display “for rent” or “transfer” signs. Job seekers report rising difficulty finding work, and some residents are returning to their hometowns. One video narrator asked, “Are shopping malls in Shenzhen really this empty? You barely see anyone. Brick-and-mortar shops…

A routine check at the DeKalb County Jail, located just east of Atlanta, turned into a major manhunt on Monday after officials discovered that three inmates had escaped. DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox said authorities acted immediately to locate the fugitives. “We jumped into action immediately,” Maddox stated. The three men — Stevenson Charles, Yusuf Minor, and Naod Yohannes — were all facing violent crime charges. Charles had already been sentenced to life in prison on federal murder charges and faced additional murder and armed robbery charges locally. Minor and Yohannes were charged with armed robbery and arson. Officials announced…

Two people have died and several others are missing after a fire and explosion struck a nursing home near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, prompting emergency responders, staff, and neighbors to help evacuate residents, Governor Josh Shapiro said. Fire Chief Kevin Dippolito reported that five people may be missing, though officials emphasized the numbers are preliminary. The total number of injured is not yet clear, as patients were taken to multiple hospitals. Officials believe a gas leak may have caused the explosion, though investigations are ongoing. Crews from local utility company PECO responded to reports of a gas odor at the facility shortly…

The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from deploying National Guard troops to the Chicago area, marking a rare setback for the administration at the high court. The ruling allows a lower court order to stand that prevents hundreds of troops from being stationed in Illinois while a legal challenge continues. The Justice Department had requested the Supreme Court to allow the deployment during ongoing litigation, but the justices said that at this preliminary stage, the government failed to identify legal authority allowing the military to enforce federal laws in Illinois. The court noted that presidential control…