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☆ Two 2003 LPs Changed Ben Gibbard’s Life. He’s Taking Both on Tour.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Luke Winkie | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

When “Give Up” came out, it very quickly surpassed where Death Cab was, sales-wise. Everyone in Death Cab was supportive of me, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel some tension around the success of the Postal Service. I want to be very clear that I’m not trying to cry with two loaves of bread in my hand. The dream in 1997 and 1998 was only to not have a job while on tour. But I was also a 28-year-old who wasn’t used to the attention that comes from both adoration and scorn.

Persons: I’ve, ”, Cab, you’ve, Paula Cole, “, I’m Organizations: Postal Service

☆ DuPont to sell Delrin resins unit to PE firm for around $1.8 bln - Bloomberg News
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A logo is pictured outside of Dupont offices in Geneva, Switzerland, April 15, 2021. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 20 (Reuters) - Materials and chemicals maker DuPont De Nemours Inc (DD.N) is in advanced talks to sell its Delrin resins unit to private equity firm The Jordan Company for about $1.8 billion, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter. Jordan Company could announce the deal as soon as this week, the report said, adding that no final decision has been made and that talks could still fall apart. Lone Star and Platinum Equity were the other bidders for the assets, Bloomberg News had reported earlier in the month. Dupont and Jordan Company did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Delrin, Dupont, Gokul Pisharody, Kanjyik Ghosh, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Christopher Cushing Organizations: REUTERS, DuPont De Nemours Inc, Jordan Company, Bloomberg, Lone Star, Equity, Bloomberg News, DuPont, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Dupont, Geneva, Switzerland, Bengaluru

☆ A Minute With: Singer-songwriter Sam Ryder on riders, hair care and his hero
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Lucy Marks | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The 34-year-old Eurovision 2022 runner-up spoke with Reuters about how "Fought & Lost" echoed his own journey in the music industry, collaborating with his hero Brian May and his hair care routine. Tell me the secrets to your hair care routine? Ryder: “My hair care routine is going to kind of be quite controversial. Ryder: "On my rider is lots of fruit and vegetables, lots of ginger shots, and also loads of vegan chocolate. "Every country we go to we want to try the best vegan chocolate they can find.

Persons: Sam Ryder, Kerry Davies, Ted Lasso, Brian May, Queen’s Brian May, Ryder, I'm, “, What’s, Sam Ryder’s, we've, Lucy Marks, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Apple, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Buckingham Palace, London, Britain, British

☆ Gold rebounds from 5-month lows as U.S. dollar, yields retreat
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold edged up from 5-month lows on Friday as the U.S. dollar and bond yields slightly retreated from highs, but bullion was set for its fourth consecutive weekly decline on concerns the Federal Reserve would keep interest rates higher for longer. Spot gold gained 0.2% to $1,892.02 per ounce by 0358 GMT, after touching its lowest since mid-March on Thursday. "The U.S. dollar has eased from recent highs and this has allowed gold to make a modest move higher. "The dollar will need to take a bearish turn at some point for gold to rediscover its mojo. Just how long gold will spend trading at sub $1,900 levels will depend on how long the dollar remains bolstered by high bond yields," Waterer added.

Persons: Tim Waterer, Waterer, Jerome Powell Organizations: U.S ., Federal Reserve, U.S, Treasury, Investors, SPDR, Trust, Metals, ANZ Locations: Moscow, Russia, Jackson Hole , Wyoming

☆ Can You Pay a Credit Card with a Credit Card?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Sarah Brodsky | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +9 min

By Sarah BrodskyWhile it might seem tempting to pay off one credit card with another, credit card companies don’t permit this. That said, some credit card companies do offer the option to consolidate credit card debt and get a reprieve from paying interest. Why you typically cannot pay a credit card with another credit cardCredit card companies don’t allow cardholders to pay a credit card with another card because it would hurt their bottom line. “They’ve already extended you the credit, they’re going to get to charge you interest.”And credit card companies would owe money if they accepted payment by credit card. How to pay off a credit card with a balance transfer cardAlthough you can’t pay a credit card by charging another card, it’s possible to move your balance from one card to another with a balance transfer.

Persons: Sarah Brodsky, It’s, you’ve, whittle, don’t, “ There’s, ”, Herman Thompson , Jr, “ They’ve, they’re, there’s, ” Thompson, “ Organizations: Mastercard, American Express, Financial, Bank of America, Navy Federal Credit Locations: Atlanta

☆ Gold at 5-month low as rallying U.S. yields bolster dollar
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Spot gold held its ground at $1,893 an ounce, as of 0335 GMT, having dropped to its weakest level since March 15 at $1,888.30. Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yields hit a 10-month high, boosting the dollar to its highest level since mid-June and drawing investors away from non-interest-bearing gold. "Whilst the FOMC minutes saw the U.S. dollar and yields strengthen further to weigh on gold, there are tentative signs of stability for spot gold prices today," said Matt Simpson, a senior analyst at City Index. Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao says spot gold may fall to $1,879 per ounce, as it has broken two key supports. Upside to gold prices will likely need delivery of rate cuts expected in 2024, they added.

Persons: Matt Simpson, Wang Tao Organizations: Aurum, U.S ., Treasury, Federal Reserve, Reuters, NAB Commodities Research, Palladium

The list of the best Fitbit devices is headed up by two distinct flagship wearables: the Versa 4 and the Sense 2. Fitbit Versa 4 The Fitbit Versa 4 disappoints as a fourth-generation smartwatch as it lacks third-party app support, has issues with fitness tracking, and doesn’t allow for music storage. Fitbit Sense 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 4: Smartwatch performanceOne of the main nitpicks I have with these watches is their disappointing lack of smartwatch capability. Fitbit Sense 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 4: Health and fitness trackingFitness tracking features are available on both devices, but the Sense 2 seems to be more reliable. Fitbit Sense 2 vs. Fitbit Versa 4: Battery lifePerhaps the best feature native to both the Sense 2 and the Versa 4 is their battery life, which lasts roughly six days depending on how it's used.

Persons: Rick Stella, they're, There's, Grey, That's Organizations: iOS Battery, Alexa, Google, Apple Watch, Versa

☆ Gold wavers near recent lows as traders bet on more U.S. rate hikes
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A worker handles an Argor-Heraeus SA one kilogram gold bar at Solar Capital Gold Zrt. Spot gold held its ground at $1,903.70 per ounce by 0317 GMT, while U.S. gold futures were flat at $1,935.40. We have the U.S. retail sales data yesterday pushing back against recession concerns and potentially keeping safe-haven flows at bay," Jun Rong added. U.S. retail sales increased more than expected in July, underscoring economy's resilience despite Fed's aggressive interest rate hikes to tame inflation. Later in the day, investors will scan minutes from Fed's July policy meeting to gauge its upcoming rate strategy.

Persons: Jun Rong, Neel Kashkari Organizations: Heraeus SA, Solar, Treasury, Federal Reserve, U.S ., IG, Minneapolis Locations: Budapest, Hungary, U.S

☆ Gold under pressure from elevated U.S. dollar, bond yields
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold prices eased on Tuesday as the dollar benefited from elevated bond yields and China's economic concerns, with markets now looking ahead to U.S. retail sales data that could shed light on the impact of higher rates on consumer spending. Gold prices fell as the U.S. dollar and Treasury yields were pushed higher, with investors assessing potential policy actions from Chinese regulators to address mounting financial and property risk, according to NAB Commodities Research. U.S. 10-year Treasury yields were near their highest levels since November. Attention is now turning to U.S. retail sales data due later in the day and the Federal Reserve's July policy meeting minutes on Wednesday. Sabrin Chowdhury, head of commodities at BMI, expects a boost in gold prices, lately under pressure from a strong U.S. dollar, only towards the last quarter of 2023.

Persons: Sabrin Chowdhury, Janet Yellen, Joe Biden's Organizations: U.S ., Treasury, NAB Commodities Research, U.S, BMI Locations: China's, U.S

☆ Gold hits 5-week low as U.S. dollar, yields stay elevated
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold bars of different sizes lie in a safe on a table at the precious metals dealer Pro Aurum. Spot gold was down 0.1% at $1,912.13 per ounce, as of 0356 GMT, hitting its lowest level since July 7. Higher interest rates and Treasury bond yields raise the opportunity cost of holding non-interest-bearing gold, which is priced in dollars. Reflecting investor interest in gold, SPDR Gold Trust , the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, said its holdings fell to the lowest level since late-January 2020. Among other precious metals, spot silver fell 0.4% to $22.59 an ounce, having matched a low last seen on July 6.

Persons: Clifford Bennett, Fed's, Bennett Organizations: Aurum, U.S, U.S . Federal, ACY Securities, Trust Locations: U.S .

☆ Window-washing robots are working on Manhattan skyscrapers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Molly Kaiser | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Skyline Robotics is disrupting the century-old practice of window washing with new technology that the startup hopes will redefine a risky industry. A robotic arm with a brush attached to the end cleans the window following instructions from a LiDAR camera, which uses laser technology to map 3D environments. "That person, other than regulation, doesn't actually have to be there for our sake," Blum said. "We don't need a separate squeegee and a separate brush to get a perfectly clean window," he said. The current cost of the Ozmo is approximately $500,000, which has a three-to-five-year payback for building owners, according to Skyline Robotics board member and Platinum CEO James Halpin.

Persons: Blum, Ross Blum, James Halpin Organizations: Robotics, Yards, Trade Center, Organization, Skyline Robotics Locations: Tel Aviv and New York, Manhattan, Madison

USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card RewardsThe USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card offers a flat rate of 1.5% cash back as we already mentioned, and there is no welcome bonus offered on this card. USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card Benefits and FeaturesThe USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card doesn't have a ton of perks, but it does have some. USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash CardWhile the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card offers a better-than-average rate of 1.5% cash back with no annual fee, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card offers superior rewards and benefits by far. USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Card Frequently Asked QuestionsIs the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card a good card? Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards CardWhen reviewing the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card, we followed our credit card rating methodology.

Persons: Dash, USAA, Cash, you'll, Cardholders, it's, cardholders, Wells, Read Organizations: USAA, Wells, Chase Locations: J.D, USAA, Wells

☆ Gold stays near 1-month lows as U.S. dollar, yields hold ground
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold are placed in a workroom at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, January 31, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander ManzyukGold prices held near one-month lows on Friday, shrugging off cooler-than-expected U.S. inflation figures for last month, with bullion staying on course to wrap up its worst week in seven as the U.S. dollar and bond yields stood strong. Spot gold edged 0.1% higher to $1,913.95 per ounce by 0347 GMT, but traded near its lowest level since July 7 touched earlier in the day. Interest rate increases weigh on gold because they tend to lift bond yields and in turn raise the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion. Gold prices have slid about 1.4% so far in the week as the U.S. dollar index and benchmark 10-year Treasury bond yields were both on track for their fourth consecutive weekly gain.

Persons: Alexander Manzyuk, Matt Simpson, Mary Daly Organizations: REUTERS, U.S ., City, U.S, Palladium Locations: Siberian, Krasnoyarsk, Russia, U.S

☆ The Future of Rap Is Female
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Niela Orr | Photographs Adrienne Raquel | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +22 min

The Future of Rap Is Female As their male counterparts turn depressive and paranoid, it’s the women who are having all the fun. In the mid-’80s, the dynamics shifted slightly, when UTFO released “Roxanne, Roxanne,” a comical torch song dissing a woman who rejected the men’s advances. Like good sex, raunchy rap is only fun if all parties are completely enthusiastic, and this music provides necessary female perspectives to match what the men make. In Miami one weekend in late July, Rolling Loud, one of the biggest annual hip-hop festivals, made itself into a microcosm of the rap world. There’s a relentless gender pessimism in the air, too — on the street, on dating apps, in the Supreme Court and, of course, in rap music.

Persons: Sackler, Drake, Foley, Yung Miami, Wu, Da, Tupac Shakur, Nicki Minaj, Cardi, Megan Thee, there’s, ”, There’s Latto, Jung Kook, “, Diana ”, Boy’s, Red’s, Munch, Rodney Dangerfield, munch, ” MAIYA, “ We’re, Lil Baby, Flo Milli, —, ” Flo Milli, Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire —, Debbie D, Lisa Lee, Mercedes Ladies, UTFO, Roxanne, Lolita Shanté Gooden, Gooden, ” FLO MILLI, Roxanne Shanté, Clover Hope, M.C, Brian Coleman, Lyte, Ruff Ryders, it’s, Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill, Kash Doll, SKODI LOLA BROOKE, Lil ’ Kim, “ I’m, I’m, ” That’s, Lolita Gooden, Greta Gerwig’s “ Barbie ”, James Harden, P.J, Tucker, KENTHEMAN “, I’ve, Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, Grace Jones, Benzino, blowin, ignorin ’, Berry hairdo, Grandmaster Flash, It’s, ” —, ” Leray, VETTE, CHANEL, ” Flo, Cartier, “ Lyte, Flo Organizations: YouTube, Girls, City Girls, Public, Down Productions, Wu -, Digital, City, Memphis, Brooklyn Locations: Miami, Wu - Tang, “, Bronx, Mobile , Ala, y’all

☆ Too Short’s Long (and Very Raunchy) Life in Rap
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Tom Breihan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

It’s a lesson rap has never forgotten — and only one among many it learned, in large part, from this rapper. To understand Too Short’s influence, it’s useful to consider that he found national success at a moment when rap still seemed like it might head in a very different direction. As his records crept across the country, another Oakland rapper took off like a rocket. MC Hammer was Too Short’s opposite: glitzy, energetic and so family-friendly that he had his own Saturday-morning cartoon. This failure didn’t bother Too Short: “I understand why they didn’t get it,” he says of New Yorkers.

Persons: ”, “, Snoop Dogg, P’s, Young Jeezy, Gucci Mane’s, Hammer, wouldn’t, tourmates, Dre, 2Pac, —, ” Weiss, Wu, Tang Organizations: Oakland, East Coast, Yorkers Locations: UGK, Oakland, York, Coast

You can earn up to 200,000 Marriott points, but to unlock the most points you'll need to stay six nights at Marriott Bonvoy properties. Marriott Credit Card Offers: Earn up to 200,000 PointsTwo of these cards (the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card) are from American Express, and two (the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card) are issued by Chase. Details Rewards Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.

Persons: Marriott, we've, We're, Chase, Regis, it's, you'll, You'll, you'd, Cardholders Organizations: Marriott, Orlando . Marriott, Service, American Express, American Express Marriott, Chase Marriott, Villas, Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott Vacation, Residence, Vacation, Westin Vacation, The Ritz, Carlton Club, Regis Residence Club, Express, Ritz, Carlton, TSA, Global, TSA PreCheck, New Hampshire Insurance Company, AIG Company, Reading Chevron, Chevron, Business, Cardholders, Chase, Sapphire, United Airlines, Hyatt, American Locations: Grande Lakes, Orlando, Marriott, Wall, Silicon, Marriott Bonvoy, St, Regis, U.S, Chevron, airfare

Eva Marie Uzcategui | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesIt's not your imagination: Companies are getting stingier with customer rewards. Raising the barSome of the biggest shifts in customer perks have come in the airline industry. At many retailers, customers must now pay a return fee if they want to ship back unwanted clothing, shoes or other items. "To drive that online demand, free shipping and free returns were put in place, but now we all know it costs significant money," he said. Both companies aim to make sure membership isn't shared with people who aren't paying, particularly as the companies chase new avenues of growth.

Persons: Eva Marie Uzcategui, Dunkin, Cowen, David Garfield, Yuping Liu, Stephanie Keith, Marshal Cohen, Circana, Nordstrom, Christopher Dilts, Kohl's, Macy's, they're, Amit Sharma, Heidi Isern, Levi Strauss, Ann Taylor, Crocs, Brooks, reining Organizations: Brickell City Centre, Bloomberg, Getty, Retailers, Ross, uptick, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Old Dominion, Strome School of Business, LaGuardia, American Express, American, IRI, NPD, Urban Outfitters, Abercrombie, Fitch, Nordstrom, Amazon, Foods, Netflix, Costco Locations: Brickell, Miami , Florida, Queens, New York, Delta, Schaumburg , Illinois

☆ This little-known data center servicer could see A.I. tailwinds, says Bank of America
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Hakyung Kim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Vertiv is well-positioned for gains as its margins recover due to the artificial intelligence boom, according to Bank of America. Analyst Andrew Obin upgraded the data center servicer's shares to buy from underperform and raised his price target 54% to $40 from $26. Artificial intelligence adoption within data centers adds incremental demand for Vertiv's thermal management products," Obin wrote in a Wednesday note. Vertiv's strong portfolio in thermal management , which helps protect IT spaces and data centers, also leaves it better-positioned than its peers to see upsides from AI tailwinds, Obin said. Adoption of AI will drive more graphics processing unit chips into data centers, generating more heat and requiring thermal management, said Obin.

Persons: Vertiv, Andrew Obin, Obin, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Bank of America, Emerson Network Power, Emerson Electric, Platinum Equity

☆ Gold set for worst week in six as U.S. yields surge before jobs data
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold prices looked set to post their worst week in six on Friday as investors braced for a closely watched U.S. jobs report after a string of solid economic data this week drove Treasury yields to nine-month highs. Spot gold was little changed at $1,935.07 per ounce by 0412 GMT, while U.S. gold futures rose 0.1% to $1,970.30. Gold prices have declined more than 1% so far this week, having slipped to their lowest level since July 11 in the last session. U.S. long-term Treasury yields climbed to their highest since November on Thursday after employment and other economic data pointed to easing inflation. Non-farm payrolls, or NFP, data due at 1230 GMT will be the next focus for further clues about the U.S. economy's strength.

Persons: Tim Waterer, it's, Kelvin Wong Organizations: Aurum, KCM, of England, European Central Bank Locations: Asia Pacific

☆ Gold near 3-week lows as U.S. data points to more Fed tightening
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold bars and gold coins of different sizes lie in a safe on a table at the precious metal dealer Pro Aurum. Gold prices held near three-week lows on Thursday after a larger-than-expected increase in U.S. private payrolls in July fueled bets on more monetary policy tightening and boosted the dollar and bond yields. Spot gold was up 0.2% at $1,937.39 by 0400 GMT, trading near its lowest level since July 12 hit in the previous session. The U.S. dollar index rose to a four-week peak on Wednesday and benchmark 10-year Treasury yields were at their highest since November after data showed U.S. private payrolls rose by 324,000 jobs last month. Non-yielding gold is often sought as a safe investment during times of economic uncertainty but tends to lose its sheen when rates rise.

Persons: Clifford Bennett Organizations: Aurum, ACY Securities, U.S, Reuters, U.S ., Federal, Bank of England Locations: U.S

☆ Gold gets a safety boost as Fitch U.S. downgrade shakes markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Bars of gold are seen at the Krastsvetmet company, one of the world's largest producers of precious metals in Moscow, Russia on January 31, 2023. Spot gold was up 0.2% at $1,946.97 per ounce by 0312 GMT, while U.S. gold futures rose 0.3% to $1,984. Gold, which is priced in dollars, is a favored safe-haven investment in times of stress and economic uncertainty. Higher interest rates raise the cost of holding gold, which yields nothing and needs money to store and insure. In other metals, spot silver eased 0.2% to $24.29, platinum dropped 0.5% to $926.18, and palladium was down 0.1% at $1,238.59.

Persons: Gold, Fitch, Edward Meir Organizations: U.S ., United States, AAA, AA, Marex, U.S Locations: Moscow, Russia, U.S

☆ Gold subdued on dollar strength as markets await economic data
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A technician cleans impurities from melted gold bars at Primera Gold's laboratory in Bukavu, South Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, May 12, 2023. Gold prices edged lower on Tuesday as the U.S. dollar climbed, while investors looked forward to key economic data this week for signs on how long the interest rates could keep rising to quell sticky inflation. Spot gold was down 0.1% at $1,961.49 per ounce by 0343 GMT, while U.S. gold futures dropped 0.5% to $1,961.10 per ounce. Gold prices ended July 2.3% higher, the biggest monthly rise in four months on expectations that an end to the rate-hiking cycle by global central banks was nearing. This is why the central banks are sticking with the data-dependent mantra," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Nicholas Frappell, Austan Goolsbee, Tim Waterer, Waterer Organizations: Primera Gold's, U.S, ABC Refinery, Chicago Federal, KCM Trade Locations: Bukavu, South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chicago

☆ Gold heads for monthly gain on hopes for an end to rate-hike cycle
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Bars of gold are seen at the Krastsvetmet company, one of the world's largest producers of precious metals in Moscow, Russia on January 31, 2023. Gold prices were bound for their biggest monthly gain in four on Monday as expectations grew that major global central banks may be nearing the end of current monetary policy tightening cycles. Spot gold was down 0.2% at $1,954.79 per ounce by 0431 GMT, while U.S. gold futures slipped 0.4% to $1,953.80 per ounce. Gold prices were set to end the month about 1.8% higher, the most since March, as expectations that U.S. interest rates could be nearing their peak put the dollar on track for its second straight monthly decline. Other precious metals also looked set to post monthly rises, with spot silver leading at 6.5%, but down 0.5% on the day at $24.22 an ounce.

Persons: Matt Simpson, Simpson, Baden Moore Organizations: Federal Reserve, Central Bank, National Australia Bank Locations: Moscow, Russia, China

☆ Analysis: Country music is at a crossroads. Two of its most viral songs show why
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Aj Willingham | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The struggle for the soul of country music is on full display now as two very different songs have been making headlines. Michael Loccisano/Getty ImagesThese two songs, so differently received yet recorded under the same big country umbrella, are an embodiment of the crossroads where country music currently stands. Like all musical traditions that fuse, evolve and splinter, country music and its legions of fans are engaged in a negotiation for the genre’s main identity. When the Dixie Chicks spoke out against the Iraq War in the early 2000s, their popularity in country music circles never fully recovered.. Small towns, fast cars and American values are as essential to country music as four chords and the truth.

Persons: Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, Tracy Chapman, Chapman, Combs, ”, Tracy, ” Chapman, “, Luke, Bryan Bedder, they’ve, Aldean, Little Richard, Otis Redding, ” Aldean, —, Holly G, Morgan Wallen, Michael Loccisano, foremothers, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, ” Combs, it’s Organizations: CNN, CMT, Billboard, Singer, Amarillo, Black Opry, Washington Post, Texas Democrat, country’s, Dixie, Grand Ole Opry Locations: Copenhagen, underrepresentation, Aldean, Macon , Georgia, Iraq

☆ Gold prices brace for biggest weekly decline in five
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

At Agosi AG in Pforzheim, freshly cast gold granules are on display that have a fine gold content of 99.99 percent. Gold prices held near two-week lows on Friday after strong U.S. economic data spurred the dollar and bond yields in a high interest rate environment that dragged the non-interest-bearing metal towards its biggest weekly decline in five. Bullion has declined 0.4% so far in the week, heading for its biggest weekly fall since June 23. "Any confirmation of an adjustment at the upcoming meeting will bring about upside risks to global bond yields and weigh on the non-yielding yellow metal further." Higher U.S. interest rates and Treasury bond yields raise the opportunity cost of holding gold.

Persons: Bullion, Yeap Jun Rong Organizations: Agosi AG, Bank of Japan, IG, U.S, Fed, Higher Locations: Pforzheim, Baden, Württemberg, U.S

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