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Gold has staged a dramatic rally this year as the US Trump administration’s unorthodox economic policies sent investors and central banks reaching for safe-haven assets. Right now, however, it’s silver that’s stealing the spotlight.A squeeze in supply of the precious metal had catapulted it to a 100% gain as of early December, while gold was up 60%. Both have been experiencing a surge in demand from investors seeking to hedge against political turbulence, inflation and currency weakness.Unlike gold, silver isn’t just scarce and beautiful: It also has many useful real-world properties that make it a valuable component in a range of products. With inventories near their lowest on record and investors still scrambling for more, there’s a risk of supply shortages that could impact multiple industries.Silver has soared this year. Who needs silver?Silver is an excellent electrical conductor that’s used in circuit boards and switches, electric vehicles and batteries. Silver paste is a critical ingredient in solar panels, and the metal is also used in coatings for medical devices. Sustained high prices could erode the profitability of industrial users and spur efforts to substitute silver components for other metals.Like gold, silver is still a popular ingredient for making jewellery and coins. China and India remain the top buyers of silver, thanks to their vast industrial bases, large populations and the important role that silver jewellery continues to play as a store of value passed down the generations.Governments and mints also consume large quantities of silver to produce bullion coins and other products. As a tradable asset, it’s much cheaper than gold per ounce, making it more accessible to retail investors, and its price tends to move more sharply during precious metal rallies. What makes the silver market unique? Silver’s varied uses mean its market price is influenced by a wide array of events including shifts in manufacturing cycles and interest rates and even renewable energy policy. When the global economy accelerates, industrial demand tends to push silver higher. When recessions loom, investors can step in as alternative buyers.The market is thinner than with gold. Daily turnover is smaller, inventories are tighter and liquidity can evaporate quickly. The silver stored in London is worth just shy of $50bn, while the gold is worth $1.2tn, though much of both are not available to borrow or buy for investors. For gold, the London market is underpinned by around $700bn of bullion held mostly by the world’s central banks in vaults of the Bank of England. This can be lent out when a liquidity squeeze hits, effectively making the central banks lenders of last resort — but no such reserve exists for silver. Why has silver rallied so much this year? Silver often moves in tandem with gold, but with more violent price moves. After the yellow metal surged in the early months of 2025, some investors pointed to the stretched ratio of prices between the two metals of more than 100-1. Silver’s apparent cheapness relative to gold was enough to encourage some investors to pile into the white metal.Heavy debt loads in major economies such as the US, France and Japan and a lack of political will to solve them also encouraged some investors to stock up on silver and other alternative assets this year, in a wider retreat from government bonds and currencies dubbed the debasement trade.Meanwhile, global silver mine output has been constrained by declining ore grades and limited new project development. Mexico, Peru, and China — the top three producers — have all faced setbacks ranging from regulatory hurdles to environmental restrictions.Global demand for silver has outpaced the output from mines for five consecutive years, while silver-backed exchange-traded funds have drawn in new investment. What was the silver squeeze that hit the market this year? Speculation earlier this year that the US would levy tariffs on silver led to a flood of the metal into vaults linked to the Comex commodities exchange in New York, as traders sought to take advantage of premium prices in that market.That contributed to a dwindling of available silver stocks in London, the dominant spot trading hub. Those stocks were further eroded as more than one hundred million ounces flowed into ETFs backed by physical bullion.With a spike of demand during the Indian festive season in October, the market suddenly seized up. The cost of borrowing silver surged to a record, while prices jumped.That tightness pushed London prices above other international benchmarks, helping to ease the squeeze. Traders are still monitoring for any potential US tariff on silver after the precious metal was added to the US Geological Survey’s list of critical minerals in November. 

OilCrude futures fell marginally on Friday as investors considered oil's geopolitical risk premium amid drawn-out Russia-Ukraine peace talks, while keeping an eye on Sunday's Opec+ meeting for clues about potential output changes.Brent crude futures settled at $63.20, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude finished at $58.55. For the week, Brent rose by 1.0% and WTI rose by 0.8%.The strength of fuel refining profit margins has supported crude demand in some places, but the bearish impact of an expected oil surplus is pressuring prices.Meanwhile, US oil production rose to a record 13.84mn barrels per day in September, an increase of 44,000 bpd, according to the Energy Information Administration, deepening concerns that the market may be heading toward a surplus.  GasAsian spot liquefied natural gas prices hit their lowest level in eight weeks on continued muted demand and high inventories, tracking a drop in European gas prices on hopes of a Ukraine peace deal.The average LNG price for January delivery into north-east Asia was $10.90 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), down from $11.66 per mmBtu last week, industry sources estimated.Weather is going to dictate movements as temperatures have fluctuated but haven't been consistently low enough to generate provincial buyers back to the spot market, analysts said.In Europe, gas prices remained near 18-month lows, driven by news of renewed US-brokered peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine fueling hopes for eased sanctions on Russia. The Dutch TTF price settled at $9.75 per mmBtu, recording a weekly loss of 4.4%. 

Air travel has never been more global, yet some of the most obvious city pairs still have no non-stop flights. These gaps persist not because demand is weak, but because distance, aircraft performance, economics, and geopolitics still shape which routes airlines are willing to fly. Some of the world’s most heavily travelled long-haul flows remain entirely one-stop. Others, long ignored, have recently been connected for the first time — and often with immediate success.“Unserved” does not mean “unused”. Many of these city pairs move hundreds of passengers a day via Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, London, Singapore, or Los Angeles. What they lack is a nonstop operation that can be sustained year-round at a commercially acceptable margin. In some cases, the aircraft exist but the risk appetite does not. In others, geopolitical realities or bilateral restrictions make the route impossible. And in many cases, the demand exists but is too fragmented across seasons to support a single ultralong-haul aircraft tied up for 16-18 hours.One of the clearest examples is Cairo–Los Angeles. Egypt and the United States have strong tourism flows, a sizeable diaspora, and rising business links. Yet there is still no nonstop between Cairo and LAX. Passengers instead travel through Europe or the Gulf on itineraries that stretch to 18 hours or more. The issue is not the absence of passengers, but the absence of year-round premium demand that could support the cost of deploying an A350 or 777 on such a long mission.London–Canberra is another intriguing gap. The UK and Australia have never been closer in aviation terms; Qantas now flies nonstop from London to Perth. Yet the national capital, Canberra, still has no direct link to London. Canberra’s runway length, altitude, and relatively modest local catchment limit its viability for an ultralong-haul operation. Sydney is nearby, and passengers overwhelmingly connect through there instead, making point-to-point Canberra a difficult commercial proposition.Asia to South America is full of large unserved flows. Tokyo–Lima is a prime example. The Japanese-Peruvian community is substantial, and trade between the two countries has grown. But the route is too far for current aircraft to operate nonstop without severe payload penalties. Travellers route through the United States or Mexico, adding hours to the trip.India also has significant long-haul gaps. São Paulo–Delhi stands out as one of the most important missing connections between two major emerging-market economies. The traffic exists, but it is fragmented across Europe, the Gulf, and Africa. No airline has yet found the right combination of aircraft, schedule, and connecting feed to justify the nonstop. Mumbai–Los Angeles is another example. Despite the strong commercial and cultural ties between India and the West Coast of the United States, the route remains unserved. It is within the range of the 777-200LR or A350-900, but ultralong-haul flights require consistently strong premium demand, and Indian carriers have historically focused on more established long-haul markets.In Southeast Asia, Jakarta–Los Angeles remains one of the most obvious missing nonstops. Indonesia is the region’s largest economy, and Los Angeles is a major gateway for Pacific Rim travel. Yet carriers still route passengers through Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, or the Gulf because no airline has the right long-haul fleet mix or network structure to support a dedicated service.While some major gaps remain, the last decade has seen formerly unserved routes become commercially viable for the first time. Technology, network sophistication, and changing demand patterns have created new possibilities.New York–Auckland is perhaps the clearest example. For years, the route was dismissed as too far and too thin. Today, both Air New Zealand and Qantas operate it with modern long-range aircraft, supported by a combination of premium leisure traffic and strong connecting markets at both ends.Perth–London went through a similar evolution. The idea of a nonstop “Kangaroo Route” was discussed for decades, but only became feasible when Qantas deployed the 787-9 in a low-density configuration and invested in connecting flows via Perth. The route has become one of the airline’s most successful long-haul launches.Doha–Auckland, one of the world’s longest commercial flights, redefined what a Gulf hub could support. Qatar Airways connected New Zealand directly to a vast network spanning Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. By aggregating multiple mid-sized flows rather than relying solely on point-to-point traffic, the airline turned a theoretical route into a consistent performer.Africa has also seen long-ignored routes return. Lagos–Washington Dulles sat unserved for years, with travellers connecting through Europe or the Middle East. United Airlines has now launched a nonstop service, demonstrating how a strong hub on the US side can make West Africa more accessible without a stop. Meanwhile, São Paulo–Johannesburg, withdrawn when South African Airways restructured, has been relaunched by LATAM, restoring a direct link between South America and southern Africa.These examples show how quickly the map can change once aircraft technology improves and an airline with the right network sees an opportunity. The A350, 787, and 777-200LR have opened possibilities that were once beyond reach. The next generation — including the A350-900ULR variants and long-range narrowbodies — will push the limits further.But the world’s unserved routes persist for reasons that technology alone cannot solve. Geography matters. Ultralong-haul flights tie up expensive aircraft for long periods, magnifying the financial impact of any delay or operational disruption. Demand profiles matter too. Many of the world’s largest indirect markets have strong economy-class flows but weaker year-round premium yields, which makes nonstop service unviable. And geopolitics can be decisive; airspace restrictions in Russia or parts of the Middle East add hours of flying time and alter the economics of east–west long-hauls.Many of today’s major unserved routes will eventually launch as aircraft improve and markets mature. Others may remain one-stop indefinitely, not because of a lack of desire from travellers, but because even the most advanced aircraft cannot change the underlying economics of global aviation.The author is an aviation analyst. X handle: @AlexInAir. 

A year-end rally in US stocks seemed like a lock a few weeks ago amid relentless demand for AI-linked shares, solid earnings and a history of seasonal strength. Now Wall Street isn’t so sure.The S&P 500 Index has gained 1.5% in December on average since 1945, trailing only November’s performance, data compiled by CFRA Research show. But with the US equities benchmark still on pace for a loss this month — even after Monday’s rally — the whole notion of seasonality is being called into question, especially with traders still jittery about artificial-intelligence valuations.Investors continue to show signs of wariness, with demand for hedges against losses in Big-Tech stocks near the highest since August 2024. And after three consecutive weeks of stock-market turbulence, the VIX Index is sitting above the 20 mark that typically signals mounting market stress.“Seasonality is always an investor’s friend, however it’s important to remember it’s not absolute,” said Dan Greenhaus, chief economist and strategist at Solus Alternative Asset Management LP.The S&P 500 rose 1.5% to 6,705.12 on Monday after Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller indicated support for an interest rate cut next month. The benchmark gauge is still down 2% this month and is on track for its first monthly drop since April. That compares with a long-term gain of 1.5% in November, per CFRA Research data.Ed Yardeni of eponymous firm Yardeni Research said the S&P 500 is unlikely to reach 7,000 by year-end, which would represent a roughly 4% gain from current levels, largely due to some profit-taking in AI-related stocks. At Roth Capital Markets, chief market technician JC O’Hara called for maintaining a cautious approach on stocks in a note Sunday.“Uncertainty on AI payoffs and upside rate risk will likely limit how much the market can rally into year-end,” said Dennis Debusschere, chief market strategist at 22V Research.While past performance overwhelmingly favours a year-end rally, investors are grappling with a murky backdrop marked by slowing economic growth, heavy spending on AI by American tech behemoths and division at the Fed about the pace of further rate cuts.Investors placed the odds of a cut at the December 9-10 policy meeting at about 70% on Monday after Waller advocated for easing next month. Still he said that a flood of delayed economic data to be released after the December gathering could make the January decision “a little trickier.”On the AI front, meanwhile, lofty valuations, circular financing deals, and sky-high expectations for growth have stoked skittishness around a potential bubble. The worries were highlighted last week when robust earnings from AI darling Nvidia Corp spurred big swings across equities rather than placating those concerns.Positioning data is also flashing mixed signals about what traders can expect in the remainder of 2025. A Deutsche Bank AG measure of equity exposure turned underweight last week for the first time since July, data compiled by the bank’s strategists including Parag Thatte show. But for mega-cap growth and technology shares, outperformance relative to the average stock is still at the top of its long-run trend channel despite the pullback, “leaving them vulnerable,” according to Thatte.For optimists, history skews in their favour against all of the nerves. Whenever the S&P 500 rose at least 10% from early January through September but declined in November — like currently — December followed with gains each and every time going back to 1950, according to data from JPMorgan Chase & Co’s trading desk.“We remain tactically bullish,” JPMorgan’s head of global market intelligence Andrew Tyler told clients in a November 24 note, citing resilient macroeconomic data, positive earnings growth, and a thawing trade war. “Additionally, historical seasonality stats also suggested a rebound.”

Fewer US travellers are due to fly over the upcoming Thanksgiving holidays later this month, with Christmas demand also looking shaky, as a record US government shutdown and concerns about the economy weigh on would-be flyers. Consumers’ appetite for air travel during the usually busy Thanksgiving week, slowed down significantly as the budgetary impasse lingered on and are now down 3.3% compared with a year ago, according to data released on Monday by Cirium, an aviation analytics firm.That contrasts with the 2% increase seen at the end of October. The gloomy outlook comes as travel was rebounding from a slowdown earlier this year, when consumers skipped flying amid concerns over the economy. Bookings for Christmas travel are also below expectations. They are down 0.4% compared to last year, according to Cirium. The firm collected the data, which reflects almost half a million bookings, on November 14, two days after the end of the 43-day shutdown.Cirium said the data was indicative of a trend as it was “based on a sample of data from online travel agencies and not the airlines themselves.” Airlines cancelled more than 11,000 flights over the past week, when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered carriers to shave off schedules to keep air travel safe. The dropped flights added to delays from fatigued air traffic controllers working without pay. Delta Air Lines Inc said the shutdown will have a significant impact on earnings amid cancellations and a slowdown in holiday bookings from wary customers worried about getting stranded during Thanksgiving. “We had a little over 2,000 cancellations. You can’t make that up within the quarter. So, yes, there was an impact,” Delta’s Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian said Wednesday.The shutdown-related disruptions will slash about $400mn from airlines’ operating income, the amount of sales left after expenses, according to Conor Cunningham, an analyst with Melius Research LLC. Airlines responded to the FAA-mandated cuts with the same playbook they use for snowstorms.They re-accommodated passengers on same-day alternative flights, issued refunds and adjusted their schedules. Other cost-inflating decisions were made, including flying aircrafts with some extra fuel in the tank, in case of diversions or longer wait times to land, as seen in previous shutdowns.United Airlines Holdings Inc and Delta selectively preserved hub-to-hub flights while scrubbing regional service. “The regional airlines bore the brunt of the cancellations as their major airline partners sought to minimise passenger inconvenience and revenue impact from the flight cuts,” Michael Linenberg, an analyst with Deutsche Bank AG, said in a report. Regional carrier SkyWest Inc, which partners with United, Delta, American Airlines Group Inc and Alaska Air Group Inc had about 11% of its flights cancelled, compared with an average 6.5% for the industry in the past week, Linenberg said.

China’s credit expansion was the weakest in more than a year last month, dragged down by slower government bond sales and sluggish borrowing demand across the economy.Aggregate financing, a broad measure of credit, increased 815bn yuan ($115bn) in October, according to Bloomberg calculations based on data released by the People’s Bank of China on Thursday. That’s the lowest level since July 2024 and well short of the 1.2tn-yuan forecast by economists in a Bloomberg survey.Financial institutions recorded an expansion of 219bn yuan of new loans in the month, also worse than expected, with growth in the outstanding stock of loans to the real economy reaching a record low.Government bond issuance has recently slowed compared with a year ago, as authorities brought forward sales earlier in 2025. Another factor at play for credit growth is seasonal, since banks are usually not in a rush to meet their lending targets at the beginning of each quarter.“Disappointing as the October credit report is, we don’t expect it to push the People’s Bank of China to loosen its key policy levers any further this year. But the PBoC remains in an easing cycle and will probably keep liquidity conditions supportive for growth. Given the weakness in the economy, we see it delivering fresh easing in the first quarter of next year,” says David Qu, Bloomberg Economics.The disappointing reading came despite the boost from the rollout of funding provided under China’s new policy financing tool, which is worth 500bn yuan. It underlined just how sluggish borrowing demand has become in the face of weak consumer and business confidence.Companies were reluctant to borrow for investment or expansion, as mid- and long-term corporate loans only expanded 31bn yuan, less than a fifth the level a year ago.Household mid-and long-term loans, a proxy for mortgages, contracted again, in a sign consumers continue to shy away from home purchases.Taken together, additional borrowing by households so far this year was the smallest since the global financial crisis in 2008.“Weak mortgage demand remains a major drag on credit growth,” said Leah Fahy, China economist at Capital Economics. “It’s also clear that the subsidies for consumer loans launched at the start of September haven’t put a floor under household demand.”Banks struggling to find borrowers are increasingly doling out fake loans to clients in order to meet government-set targets for credit, Bloomberg News has reported.For now, China’s central bank has signalled it remains patient with the continued slowdown in credit growth, saying it’s natural as the economy transitions away from old growth drivers. That guidance has led to reduced expectations for further interest rate cuts by the end of this year.Looking ahead, analysts at Barclays Bank see faster sovereign debt sales offering more support toward the end of the year and into 2026. “Government bond issuance could gain pace in the coming months,” they said.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) announced that global demand for oil and gas may continue to rise until 2050, marking a departing from its previous forecasts that had predicted a faster shift toward clean fuels.The Agency, headquartered in France, said in its World Energy Outlook 2025 report that oil demand could reach 113 million barrels per day by mid-century, an increase of 1 3% compared to 2024 levels. It added that global energy demand is expected to rise by 15% by 2035 under the current policies scenario, which assumes the continuation of existing government measures without factoring in more ambitious climate goals.The report also pointed to a significant potential increase in liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, with around 300 billion cubic meters of additional export capacity to be added by 2030. This would expand the market from 560 billion cubic meters in 2024 to more than one trillion cubic meters by 2050, driven by growing demand in sectors such as artificial intelligence and data centers.The IEA further projected that investments in data centers could reach USD 580 billion in 2025, surpassing global annual spending on oil, which currently stands at around USD 540 billion.

Dozens of protesters rallied in New Delhi Sunday to demand government action on toxic air, as a thick haze containing dangerous microparticles shrouded the Indian capital. Parents in the crowd brought their children, who wore masks and waved placards, with one reading: "I miss breathing".New Delhi with its sprawling metropolitan region of 30mn residents is regularly ranked among the world's most polluted capitals.Acrid smog blankets the skyline each winter, when cooler air traps pollutants close to the ground, creating a deadly mix of emissions from crop burning, factories and heavy traffic.Levels of PM2.5 - cancer-causing microparticles small enough to enter the bloodstream - sometimes rise to as much as 60 times the UN's daily health limits."Today I am here just as a mother," said protester Namrata Yadav, who came with her son."I am here because I don't want to become a climate refugee."Sunday, PM2.5 levels around India Gate, the iconic war memorial where protesters had assembled, were more than 13 times the World Health Organisation's recommended daily maximum.**media[379467]**"Year after year, it is the same story but there is no solution," said Tanvi Kusum, a lawyer who said she had come because she was "frustrated"."We have to build pressure so that the government at least takes up the issue seriously."Piecemeal government initiatives have failed to make a noticeable impact.These included partial restrictions on fossil fuel-powered transport and water trucks spraying mist to clear particulate matter from the air."Pollution is cutting our lives," said a young woman who claimed to be "speaking for Delhi" and refused to share her name.**media[379459]**A study in The Lancet Planetary Health last year estimated that 3.8mn deaths in India between 2009 and 2019 were linked to air pollution.The United Nations children's agency warns that polluted air puts children at heightened risk of acute respiratory infections.As the sun set into the smog-covered skyline, the crowd of protesters appeared to swell before police bundled several activists into a bus, seizing their placards and banners, arguing they did not have a permission to protest there.One of them, half-torn, read: "I just want to breathe".

Oil prices rose in early Asian trading on Monday after OPEC+ announced a pause in output hikes during the first quarter of 2026, reflecting a cautious stance amid ongoing demand uncertainty. Brent Crude gained 0.47% to trade at $65.24 per barrel, after closing $0.07 higher on Friday. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 0.45% to $61.43 per barrel. During an online meeting on Sunday, eight OPEC+ member states agreed to raise production by 137,000 barrels per day in December 2025, consistent with the increases implemented in October and November. The group subsequently announced a pause on further output hikes for January, February, and March 2026, citing "seasonality" and typically weaker demand during the first quarter. Both Brent and WTI fell by more than 2% in October, marking their third consecutive monthly decline and hitting their lowest levels in five months on October 20, amid concerns about oversupply and economic uncertainty linked to potential US tariff measures.

South Korea's automobile exports rose 16.8% year-on-year in September, supported by robust overseas demand for eco-friendly vehicles in Europe and Asia, data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy showed on Monday, as cited by Yonhap News Agency. The value of outbound automobile shipments reached $6.41 billion last month — the highest figure for any September on record. In terms of volume, exports rose 11% from a year earlier to 228,000 units.Between January and September, South Korea's accumulated auto exports hit an all-time high of $54.1 billion. By type, exports of eco-friendly cars — including electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered vehicles — surged 47.5% year-on-year to 90,496 units, marking the first time monthly exports exceeded 90,000 vehicles and accounting for nearly 40% of total car exports. Among them, hybrid vehicle shipments jumped 55.7% to 57,824 units, while electric vehicle (EV) exports climbed 38.9% to 29,288 units, extending gains for the fourth consecutive month. On the domestic front, auto sales rose 20.8% year-on-year in September to 158,000 units, the highest level since November 2023. EV sales surged 135% to a record monthly high of 28,760 units. For the January-September period, domestic EV sales increased 57.5% to 170,000 units, surpassing last year's total of 142,000. The data also showed domestic automobile production climbed 8.9% in September to 334,000 units, aided by a higher number of working days compared with the previous year.

Doha’s hospitality market remains “stable” as tourism demand remains robust in 2025 with steady growth, especially in the leisure and staycation, which hold considerable untapped potential, according to KPMG in Qatar.Post-2022, the market stabilised with ADR (average daily rate) and RevPAR (revenue per available room) remaining above pre-World Cup levels amid steady growth in visitor arrivals, KPMG in Qatar said in its latest report.“Qatar’s hospitality sector rebounded steadily post-pandemic, supported by new events, attractions, and tourism initiatives,” the report said.As of YTD (year-to-date) August 2025, occupancy stands at about 69%, ADR at QR429, and RevPAR at QR300, reflecting a resilient performance, it said, adding Qatar’s hospitality sector continues to sustain “strong” momentum.February posted the strongest results, with occupancy at 82.5% and ADR at QR490, driven by favourable winter weather and major events such as the Global Champions Arabians Tour and the Web Summit.January and April also benefited from the pleasant climate, sustaining occupancy levels above 76%, it said, adding March saw the sharpest dip, with occupancy falling to 52.3% and ADR to QR369, reflecting muted demand during Ramadan, when shorter business hours and fewer leisure activities typically curb travel.From May to August, the market cooled, with RevPAR easing to QR243 in August, reflecting the off-peak summer period when high temperatures typically reduce travel in the region.KPMG in Qatar said tourism today is no longer defined by a single experience but by a spectrum of segments that cater to different traveller motivations. From sports and eco-conscious tourism to adventure, heritage, leisure, and staycations, the sector is evolving to meet diverse preferences, it said.“These segments collectively strengthen Qatar’s positioning as a diverse, year-round destination, appealing to international, regional, and domestic travellers,” it said.On leisure and staycation, it said such developments bring year-round demand drivers that balance Qatar’s tourism sector, particularly during weekends, holidays, and off-peak seasons, ensuring steadier performance.“The segment holds considerable untapped potential, especially through developing tailored staycation packages for international tourists and residents, families, couples, and young professionals, while also diversifying experiences beyond accommodation,” it said.By integrating wellness, recreation, dining, entertainment, adventure, and cultural activities into staycation offerings, Qatar can elevate these short breaks into comprehensive lifestyle experiences that strengthen domestic and regional demand, according to KPMG in Qatar.Qatar is positioned to spearhead new projects and initiatives that align with the latest trends shaping the hospitality and tourism sector, it said, highlighting The West Bay Beaches and Al Safliya Island Development project.By integrating entertainment and hospitality into a single destination and delivering it through a PPP (public private partnership) model, the project aligns with global trends of diversified tourism development supported by private investment, it said.“The West Bay Beaches and Al Safliya Island developments go beyond tourism, creating wide-ranging impacts across human, social, economic, and environmental dimensions. By enhancing quality of life, strengthening cultural identity, diversifying the economy, and embedding sustainability, they contribute directly to the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030,” the report said.

Gold and silver prices surged to new record highs on Monday, driven by strong safe-haven demand amid renewed trade tensions between the United States and China, as well as expectations that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates. Spot gold rose 0.7% to $4,044.29 per ounce, while US gold futures for December delivery advanced 1.6% to $4,062.50. Silver climbed 2% in spot trading to a record $51.52 per ounce, extending its recent rally. Gold, which yields no interest, has gained 54% so far this year, supported by anticipation of lower borrowing costs and increased geopolitical uncertainty. Among other precious metals, platinum rose 2.6% to $1,628.80 per ounce, while palladium gained 2.6% to $1,442.06.