US national debt surges past $39 trillion just weeks into war in Iran.

The national debt surpassed a record $39 trillion on Wednesday, a milestone that comes just weeks into the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. The unprecedented figure highlights competing administration priorities, from passing a massive tax law and boosting defense spending and immigration enforcement to chipping away at the debt itself — the latter of which Donald Trump promised to […]

South Africa’s mining regulator welcomes Rio Tinto’s $473 million Zulti South investment.

In a statement, the department said the capital commitment by Rio Tinto’s subsidiary Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) reflects growing cooperation between industry, government and host communities. RBM, which is 74 per cent owned by Rio Tinto, mines mineral-rich coastal sands in KwaZulu-Natal. The operation produces zircon, rutile and ilmenite, key feedstocks used to make titanium […]

China to inject US$44 bil into state banks, boost tech financing.

China said on Thursday that it would inject 300 billion yuan (US$44 billion) into state-owned banks this year to guard against systemic risks, and boost financing for technology companies amid intensifying US rivalry. The measures were outlined in the annual government work report released at the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s rubber-stamp parliament. […]

Burkina Faso becomes Africa’s gold hotspot as economic boom unlocks fresh $33 million IMF funding.

The Washington-based lender also approved a new Resilience and Sustainability Facility valued at roughly $124.3 million, which will run through September 2027 and focus heavily on climate adaptation and agricultural stability. The latest payout follows the Fund’s review of the 48-month ECF arrangement first approved in September 2023. IMF officials said the economy has shown […]

Authorities raid Deutsche Bank offices in money laundering probe.

Deutsche Bank’s headquarters in Frankfurt and its office in Berlin were searched by German prosecutors and police on Wednesday in an investigation over suspected money laundering offenses, officials said. According to the Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily, the probe is connected to suspected offences in the bank’s dealings with companies linked to Russian billionaire businessman Roman Abramovich. […]

Gold prices surge to $4,467.80 as investor demand soars amid interest rate cut expectations

Gold prices climbed on Tuesday, reaching $4,467.80 per troy ounce, up 0.36 percent from the previous day, driven by investor bets on further U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. This momentum extended gold’s remarkable 68 percent year-over-year gain, building on a record high of $4,794.85 hit in December 2025. Market observers noted bolstered safe-haven demand […]