Precious Metals Rally Signals Rising Investor Anxiety

Gold and silver extended their blistering rally this week, with gold hovering at record highs around $5,000 dollars an ounce and silver breaking $100 dollars an ounce for the first time. The surge caps a multi-year climb that has propelled gold far beyond its pandemic-era peak near $2,000 dollars and pushed silver well past prior bull-market highs.

Analysts cite a cocktail of forces: persistent inflation above central bank targets, expectations that the Federal Reserve will begin cutting interest rates, and mounting geopolitical frictions that have undermined confidence in major currencies. Heavy buying by central banks and private investors, along with supply strains in silver, has reinforced the move. The rush into precious metals signals broad concern about stagflation risks and a continuing shift toward perceived safe-haven assets in an uncertain global economy.

 

Winter Storm Paralyzes US Travel and Leaves Several Dead

A sprawling winter storm sweeping from Texas to New England has caused widespread power outages, severe travel disruptions and multiple deaths across the United States. Airlines canceled more than 10,000 flights as snow, sleet and freezing rain shut down major hubs and left runways coated in ice.

At least seven people have died in weather-related incidents across the US as authorities warned of continued hazardous conditions and advised citizens to remain indoors as much as possible and head to shelters if heating is not available.

  

Two Fatal Shootings by Federal Agents Ignite Minneapolis Fury

Federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis faced mounting scrutiny this weekend after the death of another US citizen an encounter with federal agents following large protests demanding the withdrawal of those forces from the city. Alex Pretti, 37, an intensive care nurse, was shot and killed Saturday by a Border Patrol agent during what officials described as a “targeted operation” supporting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement action in a Minneapolis neighborhood. The Department of Homeland Security claimed Pretti approached agents while armed and resisted efforts to disarm him, prompting “defensive shots.” Videos circulated by witnesses appear to show agents tackling Pretti and removing his firearm before opening fire on him.

Earlier this month, ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot 37-year-old Reneé Good after agents confronted her in her car shortly after she dropped off her child at school. DHS officials claimed Good tried to “weaponize” her vehicle against an officer, a characterization disputed by state and local officials who cite video of the incident and have questioned whether the shooting was in self-defense.

Both deaths have fueled anger over Operation Metro Surge, a federal initiative that sent roughly 2,000 immigration and other federal agents into Minnesota, particularly the Twin Cities. Thousands of protestors joined a statewide “Day of Truth & Freedom” general strike and protests Friday, which continued through the weekend with vigils for Pretti and Good and marches demanding ICE’s removal from Minneapolis.

Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have condemned the federal crackdown as destabilizing and have urged President Trump to pull agents out of the state, while DHS and Border Patrol leaders have defended the operations and blamed “hostile” local conditions for recent confrontations.