Author: Steven Sahiounie

On Thursday, gold prices rose as fears of an early decrease in economic support subsided after data indicated that consumer price inflation in the United States slowed in July, sending the currency lower. Thus, gold prices increase as concerns over Fed cut support decline. The prices of gold increased 0.1% in spot trading to $1753.90 per ounce, and gold is considered a hedge against inflation. However, the yellow metal is extremely susceptible to increasing US interest rates, which increases the opportunity cost of acquiring gold. According to data released on Wednesday, consumer price increases in the United States eased in…

The Chinese Xinhua News Agency quoted an official from the China Pipeline Corporation explaining the rise of the current daily rate from 28 million cubic meters to 43 million cubic meters by the end of the year, ensuring enough supplies for winter and spring, including for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games in February. The report mentioned that the pipeline “East Route” has allowed the transfer of more than 10 billion cubic meters of Russian gas to China since it began operating in December 2019. In China, the northern and central sections of the pipeline are complete, and the southern section…

Concerns regarding health system According to the US newspaper “The New York Times,” the healthcare system in Bangladesh is failing as a result of the third and most fatal wave of Covid-19. However, the government lifted most of the lockdown measures on Wednesday to restore the economy and allow people to return to work. Banks, stores, and malls can reopen, and buses and trains can resume service. The garment industry was back on track two weeks ago, encouraging hundreds of employees to return to the city, Dhaka. It is vital to mention that health experts are warning that loosening the…

The US State Department on Wednesday said it is working to forge an international consensus behind the need for an Afghanistan peace accord. US State Department Spokesperson, Ned Price, said that the “Taliban” is violating “the letter and the spirit” of the February 2020 US-Taliban deal for a withdrawal of all US troops from the United States’ longest war. Price said, the “Taliban” committed to intra-Afghan talks on a peace accord that lead to a “permanent and comprehensive ceasefire,” pointing out that “all indications at least suggest the Taliban are instead pursuing a battlefield victory.” An American source familiar with…

France has donated 670,000 coronavirus jabs to Vietnam as part of the COVAX international vaccine-sharing program, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday. “To win this fight in the face of the epidemic, access to the vaccine must be global and equitable,” Macron wrote on Twitter, explaining the gesture. Vietnam, which used to be among the world leaders in containing Covid-19 when the pandemic started in early 2020, is now seeing a rise in cases, as the country has been hit hard by a global shortage in vaccine supply and slow vaccination rates. The Southeast-Asian state, which has a population of over 96…

The Taliban have reportedly seized Ghazni, located 150km (95 miles) from Kabul, making it the group’s 10th claim of a key Afghan provincial city this week as the insurgents push closer to the capital. The provincial capital fell on Thursday, according to reports from the head of the regional council, alongside a statement from the militants’ spokesperson on social media. Nasir Ahmad Faqiri, a local lawmaker, told AFP news agency that “The Taliban took control of the key areas of the city – the governor’s office, the police headquarters and the prison.” A video posted on Twitter purports to show the…

The Chinese foreign ministry has hit back at the Canadian prime minister as the countries bicker over the sentencing of two Canadian citizens in China. Beijing has reminded Ottawa that foreigners are not above the law. Speaking on Thursday, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told gathered press that Canada’s opposition to Beijing’s sentencing of Canadians Robert Lloyd Schellenberg and Michael Spavor infringed China’s sovereignty. Hua urged Canada not to engage in microphone diplomacy, a strategy that has been proven to fail, and to refrain from publishing their opinions. She claimed that while Canada advertises itself as a country that respects…

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan criticized major oil producers for the insufficiency of oil productions, claiming it could threaten the global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In his statement, Sullivan said: “At a critical moment in the global recovery, this is simply not enough,” noting that the US is “engaging with relevant OPEC+ members on the importance of competitive markets in setting prices. Competitive energy markets will ensure reliable and stable energy supplies.” He added, “Higher gasoline costs, if left unchecked, risk harming the ongoing global recovery. OPEC+ must do more to support the recovery.” The White House…

A bipartisan trio of US senators proposed a bill that would rein in app stores of companies they claim exert too much market control, including Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc’s Google, according to The Washington Post. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Amy Klobuchar collaborated with Senator Marsha Blackburn to introduce legislation that would prohibit app stores from requiring app providers to use their payment system. It would also prohibit them from penalizing apps that offer different prices or terms through a different app store or payment system. Blumenthal stated that the legislation reflects deep concern that these tactics amount to “predatory power”…