Tag: all

  • Gold Prices Drop as U.S. Jobs Rise: What’s Next

    Gold Prices Drop as U.S. Jobs Rise: What’s Next

    Last Friday, spot gold gained $1 and closed at $2633. However, gold prices were down about 0.40% for the week, marking the second week in a row of losses. The price of gold varied, reaching as low as $2613 on December 6 and as high as $2657 on December 4.

    U.S. Job Market Gains

    In the U.S., employers added 227,000 jobs, which was better than the expected 220,000. The numbers from October were also revised up, adding a total of 56,000 jobs over the two months. Average hourly pay increased by 0.4% compared to last month and was up 4.2% from last year, beating expectations of 0.3% and 3.9% respectively. However, fewer people were participating in the workforce, dropping to 62.5%. The unemployment rate went slightly higher to 4.2% from 4.1% last month. Despite these numbers looking somewhat positive, another survey showed a loss of 355,000 jobs, compared to a loss of 368,000 in October.

    Consumer Sentiment and Economic Indicators

    Consumer sentiment improved slightly, surpassing expectations, while one-year inflation expectations rose to 2.9%, which was higher than the predicted 2.7%. Earlier this week, the ISM services index, which tracks service sector growth, came in at 52.1, failing to meet forecasts of 55.7.

    Trends in Gold ETFs and Geopolitical Situation

    Global gold ETFs saw slight increases, but overall, there was a net outflow this month. Tensions remain high in geopolitics, with Russia planning to deploy nuclear-capable missiles and protests in Georgia against the government ramping up.

    Dollar and Yields Movements

    U.S. bond yields went down after the job report, leading to expectations that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates further in their next meeting on December 18. The ten-year bond yield closed at 4.15%, showing a small decrease. The U.S. Dollar Index ended with a gain of about 0.25%.

    Looking Ahead

    Next week, everyone will be watching U.S. inflation data closely, as well as China’s economic figures. The European Central Bank is expected to lower interest rates on December 12. Without any significant changes in geopolitics, gold might dip initially due to positive job reports and market confidence. Still, risks from global tensions and inflation data could influence prices. Currently, support for gold is seen at $2613, $2595, and $2575, while it needs to break the resistance level of $2675 to see any upward movement.

  • Government Takes Action on 73 Complaints About TV Ads”

    Government Takes Action on 73 Complaints About TV Ads”

    The government has reported that, over the past three years, they’ve received 73 complaints about inappropriate and rude advertisements on private TV channels. L Murugan, the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, shared this information in the Rajya Sabha. He explained that there’s a three-step system in place to deal with these complaints.

    This system includes:
    1. Self-regulation by TV broadcasters – They manage their own content.
    2. Self-regulation by groups created by broadcasters – These groups help ensure standards are met.
    3. Oversight from the central government – The government checks if everything is okay.

    When advertisements break the rules, the government takes actions like issuing warnings, asking for apologies, and even taking ads off-air.

    In another response, Murugan mentioned that streaming platforms (OTT) must follow specific rules in the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. These rules are meant to keep content safe and appropriate. They require OTT platforms to sort their content into five age-based categories and to make sure they don’t show anything illegal. The guidelines also remind them to consider the time and culture of the content they’re sharing. Additionally, the rules encourage platforms to keep kids safe by restricting content that isn’t suitable for them

  • Tragic Shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Shakes Corporate America”

    Tragic Shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Shakes Corporate America”

    A gunman killed the CEO of the largest health insurance company in the U.S., UnitedHealthcare, in New York City. The shooting has shocked many people and companies. After the attack, the shooter quickly escaped on a bus, but he accidentally left behind a backpack in Central Park.

    Almost four days later, police still don’t know who he is or why he did it. They think he might be unhappy with the insurance company and are looking into that possibility. The FBI is offering a reward of $50,000 for any information that can help catch him.

    The gunman was seen riding a bike into Central Park and then taking a taxi to a bus station, which goes to New Jersey and other cities, but police don’t have footage of him leaving the station. They think he may have used a fake ID and paid in cash when he checked into a hostel near Columbia University.

    The police found some items linked to him, like a water bottle and a protein bar wrapper, and they are checking for his DNA. Security cameras captured a picture of him smiling in the hostel lobby, but he kept his mask on most of the time, making it hard to identify him.

    Witnesses say he was quiet and didn’t talk to anyone at the hostel. The police searched his hotel room but didn’t find anything useful. They have to gather a lot of information before they can make an arrest.

    The shooter attacked Thompson from behind, using a quiet gun to avoid drawing attention. Some words were found on the bullets, which may connect to the idea of insurance companies delaying payments and denying claims.

    Thompson, a father of two boys, had worked for UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and had been the CEO for over three years. After the tragic event, UnitedHealth Group paused its annual meeting and focused on helping Thompson’s family and workers.

    The shooting has made other health insurance companies rethink their security, with some even telling their employees to work from home.

  • Storm Darragh: Warnings, Power Outages, and Travel Disruptions

    Storm Darragh: Warnings, Power Outages, and Travel Disruptions

    Storm Darragh has brought strong winds and heavy rain, prompting warnings for millions to stay indoors. The government declared a “risk to life” alert, affecting places in Wales and south-west England. This alert started at 1 a.m. on Saturday and is the biggest use of this warning system yet.

    Power outages have hit over 12,600 homes in the Midlands and south-west England, with more than 20,000 homes in Wales also without electricity. Northern Ireland’s electricity authority said they can’t give an estimate on when power will be restored because of many faults.

    Roads and bridges, like the Prince of Wales Bridge and Severn Bridge, have closed due to the severe winds. Train services west of Cardiff are also suspended because of fallen trees blocking the tracks. The Met Office issued a red weather warning, the highest kind, indicating strong and dangerous winds of up to 90 mph.

    The alert is in place from 3 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, and it advises people to avoid driving if possible. Mobile phones sent out a loud emergency message even if they were on silent, warning people to stay safe. However, some people reported not receiving the alert.

    An amber warning is active along a larger area of the UK, from southern Scotland to Cornwall and Northern Ireland, running until 9 p.m. on Saturday. Dangerous flying debris and large waves are possible, which could cause damage to buildings and power lines.

    Dublin Airport has diverted some flights, and many British Airways flights have also been canceled due to the storm. Storm Darragh is expected to bring heavy rain, with over 120 flood alerts in place. An amber rain warning for Wales is in effect from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

    The Met Office warns that heavy rain could cause problems for transport, and it may lead to 20-30mm of rain falling in just a few hours, with totals of 80-90mm expected. National Rail cautions that the storm could affect trains across the entire network, so travelers should check their journeys beforehand.

    Chiltern Railways advises customers to travel only if necessary, as they expect significant disruptions and will only operate one train per hour. Customers with tickets for Saturday can use them on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday instead.

    This article aims to keep you informed about the impact of Storm Darragh and how to stay safe.

  • Rohit Sharma’s Batting Position Sparks Debate in Second Test Against Australia

    Rohit Sharma’s Batting Position Sparks Debate in Second Test Against Australia

    Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma came back to play in the second Test match against Australia, but he didn’t do well with the bat. While KL Rahul had a great time as an opener in the first Test, the team decided to keep the same opening order and let Rohit bat at number 6. Unfortunately, this decision didn’t work out in the first innings, as Rohit scored only 3 runs off 23 balls.

    India had a tough time batting, getting all out for just 180 runs in the first innings. Former cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Ricky Ponting had different opinions about Rohit’s batting position. Rohit has been opening for India since 2019, but Gavaskar thought it was smart for him to come down the order because he hasn’t played serious matches for over a month. He mentioned that batting with a pink ball is tricky, and it was good for Rohit to observe the game for a bit.

    However, Ricky Ponting disagreed. He felt that Rohit should have opened the batting again since KL Rahul and Shubman Gill have been performing well. Ponting suggested that if things continue like this, Rohit might end up batting at number 6 for the rest of his career, while Rahul and Gill keep their spots.

    Rohit is a talented player, but he hasn’t scored many runs against Australia, with just one century in his career against them. He has also struggled in recent months, only getting one half-century in five home Tests. Sadly, Rohit faced a tough time as captain when India lost 0-3 in a home series against New Zealand in November.

  • Player Red Carded for Shocking Act During AFC Champions League Match

    Player Red Carded for Shocking Act During AFC Champions League Match

    In a surprising act of bad sportsmanship, a football player received a red card for pinching his opponent’s private area during a game. Footage of the incident quickly went viral on social media, sparking outrage among fans.

    The incident took place during a big match in the AFC Champions League between two teams from Southeast Asia: Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim and Thailand’s Buriram United. The trouble started when Theerathon Bunmathan from Buriram United fell to the ground after getting fouled by Johor Darul Ta’zim’s Arif Aiman.

    While Aiman tried to help Bunmathan up, things took a bizarre turn. After getting back on his feet, Bunmathan suddenly pinched Aiman’s genitals, causing Aiman to drop to the ground in pain. He rolled around on the grass, holding himself in distress.

    The referee missed the incident but later used the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to check what happened. After seeing the replay, he gave Bunmathan a red card.

    People on social media reacted strongly, with some questioning whether this act was sexual harassment. Others joked, saying he was playing the wrong kind of game. Comments included harsh words about his character, saying he shouldn’t be a captain or a professional player.

    Despite the drama, the actual match ended in a 0-0 draw, with both teams hoping to advance to the Round of 16 in the tournament.

  • Pushpa 2 Breaks Box Office Records: Earns Rs 274 Crore in 3 Days!”

    Pushpa 2 Breaks Box Office Records: Earns Rs 274 Crore in 3 Days!”

    Pushpa 2,” the new movie starring Allu Arjun, is taking the box office by storm! In just three days since its release, it has earned a jaw-dropping Rs 274 crore in India.

    On its opening day alone, “Pushpa 2” made an incredible Rs 175 crore across all languages. The second day was just as great, with Rs 90.1 crore added to its total, making Rs 265 crore in two days!

    The movie’s success comes from a mix of languages—on day two, the Telugu version earned Rs 27.1 crore, while the Hindi version brought in a massive Rs 55 crore. Even the Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada versions contributed to the total. Interestingly, the Hindi version has now made more money than the Telugu version, with Rs 125.3 crore compared to Rs 118.05 crore.

    Globally, “Pushpa 2” is breaking records too! Trade expert Manobala Vijayabalan reported that it has made Rs 417.5 crore worldwide in just two days. It became the first Indian film to cross Rs 400 crore globally in its opening weekend.

    Directed by Sukumar, “Pushpa 2: The Rule” continues the story of Pushpa Raj, a red sandalwood smuggler facing new challenges and dangers. The film has a fantastic cast, including Fahadh Faasil as the tough policeman, Rashmika Mandanna as Srivalli, and Jagapathi Babu bringing a fresh twist to the story.

    The success of “Pushpa 2” is even more impressive when you look at how well the first movie, “Pushpa: The Rise,” did in 2021, earning Rs 393.50 crore worldwide and giving Allu Arjun his first National Award.

  • Israel Turns to Elon Musk for Help in Freeing Hamas Hostages

    Israel Turns to Elon Musk for Help in Freeing Hamas Hostages

    Israel has reached out to tech billionaire Elon Musk to help negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas. Israeli President Isaac Herzog contacted Musk recently, hoping he could persuade Donald Trump to help with the situation. Nearly 100 people are believed to be held captive by Hamas since their attack on October 7, 2023.

    Trump, who is set to take office on January 20, 2024, has insisted that Hamas must release all hostages before he assumes the presidency. He warned that there would be serious consequences if they do not comply. Musk, who has given over $250 million to Trump’s campaign, is seen as a crucial link in getting Trump to take action regarding the hostages.

    During a conversation with Herzog, Musk’s involvement came up as a potential strategy to influence Trump. Though it’s unclear if Musk will talk directly to Trump about this, he has acted as a go-between in important discussions before. Earlier this year, he helped arrange a talk between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and has also spoken with Iranian leaders to reduce tensions.

    Musk has been active in supporting humanitarian efforts in the region too. His company SpaceX recently provided Starlink satellite internet for Gaza, which raised questions considering Israel’s strict control over communications in the area. This was seen when Starlink was set up at a Gaza hospital funded by the UAE and Israel.

    For now, Israel is hopeful that Musk’s influence might help lead to negotiations that could safely bring the hostages home before the year ends.

  • Delhi’s Coldest Morning Yet: AQI Drops to Poor!”

    Delhi’s Coldest Morning Yet: AQI Drops to Poor!”

    On Saturday, Delhi experienced its coldest morning this season, with the temperature dropping to 7.1 degrees Celsius, which is three degrees lower than normal for this time of year, as reported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

    After enjoying three days of ‘moderate’ air quality, the city’s air has turned ‘poor’ again. The Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 222 around 9 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. Here’s how the AQI categories work:

    – 0 to 50: Good
    – 51 to 100: Satisfactory
    – 101 to 200: Moderate
    – 201 to 300: Poor
    – 301 to 400: Very Poor
    – 401 to 500: Severe

    At 8:30 am, the humidity in Delhi was a high 89 per cent. The weather department predicts mostly clear skies for the day, with the temperature expected to rise to around 25 degrees Celsius later.

  • 28 New Navodaya Vidyalayas: A Bright Future for Every Student in India!

    28 New Navodaya Vidyalayas: A Bright Future for Every Student in India!

    The Indian government is opening 28 new Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) across the country to make sure that all kids can get a good education. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this decision, saying it’s important to provide quality education for everyone, as per the National Education Policy.

    These new schools will be built in places that don’t have any NVs yet. The aim is to offer modern education that includes culture, values, environmental awareness, sports, and physical education for talented children, especially those from rural areas, no matter how much money their families have.

    Setting up these new schools will cost about Rs. 2359.82 crore over five years, from 2024 to 2029. This money will pay for building the schools and their ongoing operation. Each NV will serve around 560 students, so that means 15,680 kids will benefit from these new schools. Moreover, building and running these schools will create jobs for about 1,316 people and many local workers in the surrounding areas.

    Each Navodaya Vidyalaya is a full-time, co-educational school for kids from Class VI to XII. Students get selected through a special test, and about 49,640 students enroll in Class VI every year. Currently, there are 661 sanctioned NVs across India, and 653 of them are already open and running.

    The government is working hard to make these schools top-notch by following the latest National Education Policy 2020. Many of them have been turned into PM Shri schools, which means they are examples for others to follow. More and more students, especially girls (42%), SC (24%), ST (20%), and OBC (39%) children, are applying to these schools every year. This means quality education is becoming available to everyone!

    Overall, students from Navodaya Vidyalayas perform really well in their board exams, showing that they are among the best in the country.