WaPo Admits Afghan Nationals Were Not Ready to Adapt to US Life

Luis Cornelio
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WaPo Admits Afghan Nationals Were Not Ready to Adapt to US Life

(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) The Washington Post published a Monday report with a stunning admission for a leftist news outlet: Afghan nationals hastily brought into the U.S. by the Biden administration have struggled to adapt. 

According to the Post, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan charged with terrorism and murder after allegedly shooting two National Guardsmen, had trouble adapting to life in the United States. 

The Post noted that Lakanwal’s case was one among many involving Afghans brought into the country after Biden’s deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. 

A former senior Afghan commander now living in the U.S. told the outlet that these nationals are told they need to work “but they don’t have the skills.” 

He added, “They’re not ready to just integrate themselves into the community.” 

The former Afghan commander said he had been sounding the alarm about the stress Afghan nationals endured before coming into the U.S. 

The Post then reported that the CIA-backed Zero Unit, in which Lakanwal served during the war. The unit saw the “heaviest fighting” almost daily, said retired Marine Mick Mulroy in remarks to the paper. 

The article’s framing appeared to vindicate, at least in part, President Donald Trump, who halted all asylum applications and ordered a re-examination of green card recipients from Afghanistan and other countries. 

Trump’s directive came in response to Lakanwal’s terrorist Nov. 26 attack against two members of the National Guard in Washington, D.C. 

One of the victims, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, died from her injuries days later. The second Guardsman, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, remains in critical condition. 

A second Afghan national, Mohammad Dawood Alokozay, was arrested in Texas on Tuesday after he allegedly recorded himself on TikTok pledging to detonate a bomb in the Fort Worth region. 

These cases follow those of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, and Abdullah Haji Zada, 18, who pleaded guilty to two terrorism-related charges after they attempted to provide material support to ISIS. 

Another Afghan national, Jamal Wali, shot and wounded two Virginia police officers during a routine traffic stop. He was fatally shot after shouting, “I should have served with the f**king Taliban.” 

Mohammad Kharwin was arrested earlier this year after being allowed into the U.S. by the Biden administration despite appearing on a terror watchlist. 

Trump Says He ‘Wouldn’t Have Wanted’ a Second Strike on Alleged Drug Boat

Headline USA Editor
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Trump Says He ‘Wouldn’t Have Wanted’ a Second Strike on Alleged Drug Boat

(Dave DeCamp, Antiwar.com) President Trump held talks with his top advisers on Monday to discuss Venezuela amid a major US military buildup in the Caribbean and signs that he’s planning to launch attacks on the country, which would be illegal under the Constitution without congressional authorization.

At this point, it’s unclear exactly what was discussed during the talks or whether any decisions were made. The meeting came after Trump confirmed a report that he held a phone call with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a call that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been leading the push toward war, also joined.

According to a report from the Miami Herald, Trump gave Maduro an ultimatum during the call, telling the Venezuelan leader that the only way he could save himself and his family was if he fled the country, and Maduro rejected his terms.

Maduro has made clear he’s willing to work with the US and reportedly offered significant access to Venezuela’s natural resources, but the Miami Herald report signals the Trump administration won’t be happy with any arrangement that leaves the Venezuelan leader in power.

Maduro’s government has also been cooperating on deportation flights from the US, but they have been suspended since Trump announced the closure of Venezuela’s airspace, a declaration that Caracas said was “a hostile, unilateral, and arbitrary act, incompatible with the most basic principles of International Law.”

Maduro has struck a defiant tone in the face of US pressure and continues to attend events with large crowds, signaling that he’s not afraid of being assassinated, and has been calling for peace. He has also vowed that Venezuela would fight against any US attack, and according to a report from Reuters, his government is preparing a Guerrilla-style resistance if the US invades.

According to recent media reports, options that Trump has been presented with for attacking Venezuela include bombing military sites, sending in a special operations force to kill or capture Maduro, or invading with a much larger force to seize airfields and oil fields.

Proponents of a regime change war in Venezuela have been pointing to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, the largest in the world, as a reason to invade. Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader who recently won the Nobel Peace Prize and wants the US to attack her country, has claimed there would be a “$1.7 trillion opportunity” for private investors if Maduro is ousted.

This article originally appeared at Antiwar.com. 

NATO’s Top Military Officer Floats Idea of ‘Pre-Emptive Strike’ on Russia

Headline USA Editor
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NATO’s Top Military Officer Floats Idea of ‘Pre-Emptive Strike’ on Russia

(Dave DeCamp, Antiwar.com) NATO’s top military officer has floated the idea of the Western alliance conducting a “pre-emptive” strike on Russia, a comment that drew a sharp rebuke from Moscow.

Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, the chair of NATO’s Military Committee, made the provocative comment in the context of discussing alleged “Russian hybrid attacks” in Europe. He told the Financial Times that a “pre-emptive strike” could be considered a “defensive action,” but added that “it is further away from our normal way of thinking and behavior.”

“Being more aggressive compared with the aggressivity of our counterpart could be an option. [The issues are] legal framework, jurisdictional framework, who is going to do this?” the Italian admiral said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry called Dragone’s comments “extremely irresponsible” and said it could be an effort to undermine peace talks around Ukraine. “People who make such statements should be aware of the risks and potential consequences, including for the alliance members themselves,” said Russian spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

Zakharova also criticized NATO officials for constantly hyping the threat of a Russian attack on Europe, saying that “against the backdrop of the anti-Russian hysteria being whipped up by the alliance and the fearmongering about an ‘inevitable attack’ by Russia on the bloc’s member states, such statements not only add fuel to the fire, but also seriously escalate the already existing confrontation.”

While NATO officials are constantly claiming, without providing evidence, that Russia is involved in sabotage attacks in Europe, the US and NATO are openly supporting drone and missile attacks inside Russian territory. The US recently restarted its support for Ukrainian strikes inside Russia using US and British-provided missiles.

This article originally appeared at Antiwar.com.

Steve Witkoff To Meet With Putin To Discuss Potential Ukraine Peace Plan

Headline USA Editor
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Steve Witkoff To Meet With Putin To Discuss Potential Ukraine Peace Plan

(Dave DeCamp, Antiwar.com) The Kremlin said on Monday that a meeting will take place on Tuesday between Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who is traveling to Moscow to discuss a potential Ukraine peace deal.

“The president (Putin) will also have several closed-door meetings today in preparation for tomorrow’s Russia-US contacts,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to Russia’s TASS news agency.

Witkoff’s trip to Moscow comes after US and Ukrainian officials discussed the peace proposal on Sunday in Florida. According to a report from Axios, the meeting focused on where the de facto border with Russia would be under the deal, as Ukraine has been resistant to the idea of ceding territory.

The original US proposal that was leaked to the media involved Ukraine ceding what territory it still controls in the eastern Donbas region, a key demand of Russia to end the war. President Trump has acknowledged the fact that Russian forces continue to make gains in the Donbas and will likely eventually take over the entire territory if the conflict continues.

“Eventually, that’s land that, over the next couple of months, might be gotten by Russia anyway,” Trump told reporters last week. “So do you want to fight and lose another 50,000-60,000 people? Or do you want to do something now?”

It’s unclear if an agreement was reached between US and Ukrainian officials on Sunday. Ukrainian officials told Axios that the talks were “difficult” and “intense” but also productive.

The other major sticking point is related to security guarantees for Ukraine, as Ukraine and the US’s European allies are pushing for a NATO troop deployment to a post-war Ukraine, an idea that Russia has repeatedly rejected. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the talks with Ukrainian officials on Sunday, reportedly told European officials last week that the US wouldn’t commit to any security guarantees until a peace deal is reached.

 

This article originally appeared at Antiwar.com. 

 

Mass Shooting at Stockton results in Four Killed, 11 Injured

Headline USA Editor
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Mass Shooting at Stockton results in Four Killed, 11 Injured

(Dave Mason, The Center Square) The search continued Monday for the suspect or suspects in a Northern California mass shooting that killed three children and one adult.

Authorities said 11 other people were injured during the shooting Saturday in Stockton. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said shots were fired just before 6 p.m. at a child’s birthday party, attended by 100 to 150 people in a banquet hall along the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue, near Thornton Road.

Those who were killed were ages 8, 9, 14 and 21, according to the sheriff’s office. No suspects have been arrested, but the office said the shooting was likely a targeted incident and may have involved multiple shooters.

The sheriff’s office received help with its response and investigation from agencies such as the Stockton Police Department, the California Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Among the 11 people who survived injuries was a 9-year-old child in fair condition at Dignity Health Center-St Joseph Medical Center in Stockton, according to a hospital spokesperson quoted by KXTV, an ABC affiliate in Sacramento. The hospital said it received two other patients – one adult who underwent surgery and an adult who was treated for minor injuries. Sutter Memorial Hospital in Modesto told the ABC station that it had some patients from the shooting but didn’t have additional details.

Authorities asked for the community’s help to track down the suspect or suspects.

“We are grateful for the information that has already been coming in from the community, and we ask that it continue,” the sheriff’s office said on Facebook. “With the tips, video, and witness accounts provided so far, detectives are actively working on suspect descriptions and moving toward identifying and locating the individuals responsible for this horrific act.”

“Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this devastating violence,” the sheriff’s office said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom echoed that on X. “Our hearts break for their families and the entire Stockton community.”

Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi told reporters, “Stockton is better than this,” and urged people to call Crime Stoppers to leave an anonymous tip. People can provide information by calling 209-946-0600 or visiting stocktoncrimestoppers.org, where they can leave a tip directly or download a Crime Stoppers app to do so.

Fugazi added families should be together at home on Thanksgiving weekend “instead of at the hospital, standing next to their loved ones, praying they survive.”

“Unfortunately tonight, heaven is a little bigger” with the three children and one adult who did not survive, Fugazi said Saturday.

Headline USA Scores a Win in Lawsuit for 911 Call Made by Alleged Trump Shooter’s Father

Ken Silva
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Headline USA Scores a Win in Lawsuit for 911 Call Made by Alleged Trump Shooter’s Father

(Ken Silva, Headline USA) In October 2024, the pro-transparency group Judicial Watch helped this publication file a lawsuit against Bethel Park Police Department over its refusal to release audio of the 911 call Thomas Crooks’s father made the day his son allegedly tried assassinating then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at his July 13, 2024, campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Nearly 14 months later, Judicial Watch and Headline USA have scored a major win. On Monday, Judge Daniel Regan ordered the Bethel Park Police Department to provide him with a recording of the 911 call, which he will review for potential release. Judge Regan also gave both parties 30 days to submit arguments about whether the recording should be made public.

The judge’s order is the most significant development to date in the lawsuit.

Headline USA initially filed a request for the call in August 2024, only to have Bethel Park Police deny disclosure nine days later—citing Section 708(b)(18) of the RTKL, which exempts 911 recordings from public disclosure. However, the exact same RTKL paragraph cited by Bethel Police also states that law enforcement can release 911 recordings that are in the public interest.

That’s where Judicial Watch came in. The non-profit watchdog agreed to take on this publication’s case, filing a lawsuit in late October 2024 in the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas to force Bethel Park Police to disclose the 911 call.

Then, after the lawsuit was filed, Allegheny County—where Crooks lived with his parents, Matthew and Mary Crooks—released a partial recording of the call to ABC News.

The call lasts roughly 2 minutes before abruptly ending.

“Hi, yes. Uh, my name is Matthew Crooks. I was calling in regards to my son, Thomas. Uh, he belongs to the Clairton Sportsman Club in Clairton, and I don’t have the number for Jefferson Police on hand. The reason I’m calling is he left the house here at about a quarter to two this afternoon, and we’ve gotten no contact from him, no text messages, nothing’s been returned, and he’s not home yet,” Matthew said.

“That’s totally not like him. So we’re kind of worried, not really sure what we should do.”

The recording ended after Matthew confirmed his son was 20 years old.

Presumably, the recording ended because Allegheny County’s 911 dispatcher hung up after transferring the call to Bethel Park Police. Bethel Park has indeed confirmed that the recording it’s refusing to release is longer than the one from the Allegheny County dispatch.

In June of this year, Judicial Watch attorney J. Chadwick Schnee filed a motion for Judge Regan to hold a hearing, where the parties would argue whether he should review the call for potential release. The hearing was initially set for Oct. 27, but Bethel Park told Schnee days earlier that it no longer opposed his motion—leading to Judge Regan’s Monday order.

Ken Silva is the editor of Headline USA. Follow him at x.com/jd_cashless.

“Non-Partisan” Academic News Site Exposed for Heavy Pro-Abortion Bias

Jose Nino
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“Non-Partisan” Academic News Site Exposed for Heavy Pro-Abortion Bias

(José Niño, Headline USA) A website that markets itself as editorially independent has published abortion content that overwhelmingly supports abortion rights, according to an investigation by The College Fix.

The review, which took place between October 2024 and October 2025, discovered that virtually every article addressing abortion presented the topic in ways that supported ending the lives of unborn babies.

This investigation builds on earlier College Fix reporting that revealed the platform collects no less than $2 million annually from public universities via membership payments. Private institutions also contribute membership fees. Previous analysis showed most coverage of President Donald Trump tilted against him.

The investigation examined 25 articles about abortion published over 12 months. 22 articles promoted pro-abortion viewpoints, two maintained neutrality, and one leaned toward pro-life positions.

Most examined articles portrayed limits on killing preborn babies as harmful policy changes. Writers deployed terminology including “reproductive health care,” “reproductive justice advocates,” “restrict access,” and “reproductive freedom.”

One article connected “stricter abortion laws” with “increased infant mortality.” Researchers at the Lozier Institute have disputed this assertion. The article’s language included claims that abortion access faced “severe restriction” and that post-Dobbs prohibitions contributed to “anti-abortion sentiment that has led America” toward declining medical and legal circumstances.

A Catholic University of America professor who frequently covers abortion topics for national outlets offered additional perspective.

“I really have not considered writing for the Conversation,” Professor Michael New stated in email comments to The Fix. “The Conversation is not part of my consistent reading consumption and they have not made an effort to reach out to me to offer a pro-life commentary.”

He added, “since I am often reacting to polls, studies, and research, it is important that I am able to publish commentary and analysis quickly. Outlets like National Review Online nearly always publish my submissions and reach a large audience. I am often not inclined to try a new publication where I might run into delays or problems.”

The professor characterized the broader scholarly publishing environment as predominantly hostile to pro-life research. “Academic publications are almost always hostile to pro-life viewpoints,” he stated. “Editors often do not wish to publish articles that present pro-life arguments or have pro-life policy implications.”

Even editors who remain personally neutral toward pro-life scholarship and possess fairness, he explained, encounter workplace obstacles. “They realize they will receive pushback and criticism from colleagues if they publish an article with a pro-life viewpoint,” he noted. “This also makes them reluctant to publish submissions from pro-life researchers and scholars.”

He emphasized that “journal editors have total control over what gets published in their journals. Even if a pro-life article receives favorable reviews from other academics, the editor is within his rights to reject the article.”

“Since most academic journal editors are political liberals, they often seek to publish articles that present liberal arguments or have liberal policy implications,” he observed.

“Now it is possible for a conservative article to get published in an academic outlet. However, it is much more difficult,” New stated. “Conservative submissions will be treated with more scrutiny and will likely have to go through more rounds of revisions before they are published.”

New recommended that scholars pursuing publication of conservative articles in academic venues should “seek employment at either a conservative think tank or a conservative university.”

He explained, “getting a conservative submission published at a liberal academic journal can be very time consuming.”

“That makes it more difficult for conservative scholars to have enough publications to qualify for promotion and tenure at many universities.”

José Niño is the deputy editor of Headline USA. Follow him at x.com/JoseAlNino 

 

Six Texas Republicans Leaving Congress, Finishing Out Term Next Year

Headline USA Editor
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Six Texas Republicans Leaving Congress, Finishing Out Term Next Year

(Bethany Blankley, The Center Square) So far, six Texas Republicans are among the growing number of members of Congress who’ve announced they’re retiring, finishing out their term next year.

While its uncertain if Republicans will keep their slim majority in Congress after the midterm elections, six U.S. House seats up for grabs are in Republican strongholds in Texas. Nearly all outgoing members were endorsed by President Donald Trump.

U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, CD-22, southwest Houston area suburbs

Nehls, first elected in 2020, is the latest to announce he’s retiring.

“After more than 30 years in law enforcement serving and protecting my community as a police officer, constable, Fort Bend County Sheriff, an Army veteran, and six years representing this district in Congress, I have made the decision, after conversations with my beautiful bride and my girls over the Thanksgiving holiday, to focus on my family and return home after this Congress,” he said in a post on X

On the same day, his identical twin brother, Trevor Nehls, announced he was running. After praising Troy’s service, Trevor Nehis said, “District 22 needs a Representative who will follow in Troy’s footsteps and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with President Trump to defend our conservative values, secure the border, protect our families, and oppose the reckless and radical agenda that Democrats continue to press upon the American people. I’m ready to take up that fight.”

Troy has endorsed Trever; a Democrat and American Independent are also running.

U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, CD-19, Texas panhandle

Two weeks before Nehls on Nov. 11, Arrington announced he was retiring after nearly 10 years in office. First elected in 2016, this year as House Budget Committee Chair, Arrington helped get the president’s One Big Beautiful Bill through Congress. Citing his accomplishments, he said, “As much good as we’ve done together, there’s a time and season for everything. And this season is coming to a close.” Instead of seeking reelection, “I’ll be looking for the next challenge, I’ll be spending quality time with my family and I will be passing the torch to the next West Texan.”

Three Republicans and one Democrat are running for his seat.

U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, CD-38, north Houston area suburbs

In October, Hunt, a two-term congressman, announced he was running for U.S. Senate challenging incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. “The Senate needs younger, battle-tested, forward-thinking leaders who have real skin in the game, leaders who will live with the consequences of the votes they take,” he said. Hunt entered an already bitter primary race in which Attorney General Ken Paxton, who’s also challenging Cornyn, is slipping in the polls and losing endorsements, The Center Square reported.

Nine Republicans, four Democrats and one Independent are running to replace Hunt.

U.S. Rep. Morgan Lutrell, CD-8, north Houston area suburbs

On Sept. 11, Luttrell announced he was retiring after serving two terms in Congress to spend more time with his family. “Serving Texans in Congress has been the honor of a lifetime, and I will continue to do that until the end of my term,” he said. “And while I may be stepping back from public office at the end of 2026, I’m not stepping out of the arena. I will continue to champion the values that define our great state: faith, family, and freedom.”

Five Republicans and two Democrats are running for his seat.

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, CD 10, region spanning Houston to Austin

Also in September, McCaul announced he wasn’t running for reelection after first being elected in 2004. He  told the Austin American-Statesman, “It’s been an honor of a lifetime to serve my district, to chair two prestigious committees. I feel like I’m ready for a new challenge. I’m going to continue in the foreign policy, national security realm.”

Twelve Republicans and three Democrats are running for his seat.

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, CD-21, Hill Country region

In August, Roy announced he was running for Texas Attorney General. “Texas has a long and proud tradition of rising to defend our homes, our freedom, and our communities. I’m running for Attorney General to carry on that legacy… unafraid to fight, unafraid to win, and unafraid to defend Texas at every turn,” he said in a campaign video.

First elected in 2018, Roy, a leader in the House Freedom Caucus, held fast over budget fights demanding that Congress reduce spending and reduce the debt. He was among the first to endorse Gov. Ron DeSantis for president in a bitter primary race that Trump won. Prior to his announcement, Trump vowed to run a candidate to primary him.

The race to replace Roy is the most crowded: 13 Republicans, four Democrats and one Independent are running.

Republicans currently hold a six-seat majority in the U.S. House. Of three vacant House seats, one is in Texas. The Democratic stronghold, CD-18 in Houston, has been vacant since Sylvester Turner’s death. A runoff election is scheduled for Jan. 31 between two Democrats.

 

Doctor Says Trump Had Preventative Screening MRI on Heart, Abdomen with ‘Perfectly Normal’ Results

Headline USA Editor
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Doctor Says Trump Had Preventative Screening MRI on Heart, Abdomen with ‘Perfectly Normal’ Results

(Headline USA)  Donald Trump’s doctor says the president had MRI imaging on his heart and abdomen in October as part of a preventative screening for men his age, according to a memo from the physician released by the White House on Monday.

Sean Barbabella said in a statement that Trump’s physical exam included “advanced imaging” that is “standard for an executive physical” in Trump’s age group. Barbabella concluded that the cardiovascular and abdominal imaging was “perfectly normal.”

“The purpose of this imaging is preventative: to identify issues early, confirm overall health, and ensure he maintains long-term vitality and function,” the doctor wrote.

The White House released Barbabella’s memo after Trump on Sunday said he would release the results of the scan. He and the White House have said the scan was “part of his routine physical examination” but had declined until Monday to detail why Trump had an MRI during his physical in October at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center or on what part of his body.

“I think that’s quite a bit of detail,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday when announcing the memo’s release.

The Republican president said Sunday during an exchange with reporters as he traveled back to Washington from Florida that the results of the MRI were “perfect.”

“If you want to have it released, I’ll release it,” Trump said.

Trump added Sunday that he has “no idea” on what part of his body he got the MRI.

“It was just an MRI,” he said. “What part of the body? It wasn’t the brain because I took a cognitive test and I aced it.”

Adapted from reporting by the Associated Press. 

Deutsche Bank Joins Other Mainstream Banks Raising Gold Price Forecast

Money Metals News Service
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Deutsche Bank Joins Other Mainstream Banks Raising Gold Price Forecast

(Mike Maharrey, Money Metals News Service) With gold trading solidly over $4,000 per ounce, mainstream banks have been scrambling to raise their 2026 price projections. Last week, Deutsche Bank joined the scramble, upping its average price forecast by 11 percent.

Deutsche Bank analysts had been calling for a $4,000 average gold price in 2026. They now peg their forecast at a $4,450 average with a trading range between $3,950 and $4,950. The top end of that range would represent a 14 percent increase above the current December futures price.

Analysts cite three main factors driving their bullish forecast.

  1. Resilient investor appetite
  2. Sustained central bank gold buying
  3. A muted supply response to higher prices

“Stabilizing investor flow and technical measures indicate a positioning correction has completed. Third-quarter supply-demand data supports a continued central bank bid. The positive structural picture shows inelastic demand from central banks and ETF investment diverting supply from the jewelry market. Also, overall growth in demand outpaces supply.”

The Deutsche Bank analysts said they don’t see much change in these dynamics in the near to mid-term.

“The positive structural picture shows inelastic demand from central banks and ETF investment diverting supply from the jewelry market. Also, overall growth in demand outpaces supply.”

Investment demand in Asia drove the early stages of the gold bull market last year. Western demand has picked up in recent months, reflected primarily in significant ETF inflows.

An apparent shift in conventional investment strategy could boost investment demand in the U.S. even higher.

Historically, the conventional wisdom on Wall Street was a 60/40 portfolio, with 60 percent of the holdings in equities and 40 percent in fixed-income investments, primarily bonds. The theory is that these asset classes balance each other, with stocks strengthening in a strong economy and bonds creating a hedge during downturns.

Given changing market dynamics, some mainstream analysts now say investors should consider a 60/20/20 strategy, swapping half of the bond portfolio for gold to serve as a “more resilient” inflation hedge. If this trend continues, gold could become a “core portfolio allocation.”

Central bank gold buying has been a constant throughout this gold bull market. Buying slowed modestly in the middle of the year, but appears to have picked up again.

Meanwhile, even with higher profit potential, miners can’t quickly ramp up output. A Deutsche Bank analyst put it bluntly.

“Overall growth in demand outpaces supply.”

The expectation of further Federal Reserve rate cuts has also boosted bullish sentiment toward gold. While Fed Chair Jerome Powell tried to temper expectations of a December cut at the last meeting, recent data have boosted investor optimism that the easy-money gravy train will keep rolling.

According to CME FedWatch, there is now a 79.8 percent probability of a 25 basis-point cut. That’s a steep jump in confidence from 24 percent just a couple of weeks earlier.

Mike Maharrey is a journalist and market analyst for Money Metals with over a decade of experience in precious metals. He holds a BS in accounting from the University of Kentucky and a BA in journalism from the University of South Florida.

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