The Venezuela earthquake death toll rises past 230 following twin earthquakes. Displaced residents face a massive humanitarian crisis amid constant aftershocks. Excerpt: Emergency responders face a race against time in north-central Venezuela as the official death toll passes 230 after back-to-back earthquakes devastated the region near Caracas.

Burkina Faso has formally ended diplomatic relations with France, marking another milestone in the rapid geopolitical transformation underway across the Sahel. The decision follows similar moves by neighbouring Mali and Niger, both of which have reduced or ended military cooperation with France while strengthening partnerships with alternative international actors, including Russia and regional security arrangements.

The Strait of Hormuz is seeing commercial shipping return to near-pre-war levels following the implementation of the US-Iran ceasefire framework and renewed confidence in the energy market. While some shipping companies remain cautious about using the principal navigation channels. Several tankers continue to follow alternative routes along Oman's coastline as maritime authorities gradually restore confidence in the Strait's security.

From China and Russia to emerging economies worldwide, central banks are expanding their gold reserves while reassessing their dependence on traditional financial structures. The shift reflects a deeper transformation: money, trade, and reserves are no longer separate from the struggle for global influence. As the world moves towards a more multipolar order, gold is becoming more than a financial asset. It is emerging as a strategic tool in the competition for autonomy, resi

Across continents, central banks are buying gold at a pace not seen in decades. Nations facing sanctions, geopolitical uncertainty, and growing concerns about the future of the international financial system are accumulating bullion with renewed urgency. What appears on the surface to be a financial trend is increasingly revealing itself as something far more significant: a profound geopolitical realignment.

In an era of geopolitical tension and soaring global debt, Gold and the New Global Reserve Order is transforming international finance. Central banks are aggressively buying bullion, pushing gold’s share of global reserves past U.S. Treasuries. This shift goes beyond investment returns. It represents a strategic move toward neutral, scarce assets that cannot be printed, sanctioned, or controlled by any single power.

Explore Kampala’s dynamic events extravaganza. From historic royal palace festivals and high-tech innovation summits to avant-garde art exhibitions and legendary live music sessions, this comprehensive guide unpacks the diverse cultural, corporate, and social tapestry driving Uganda's vibrant capital.

The Iran MOU and Strait of Hormuz agreement reveal a deeper geopolitical reality. After months of confrontation, Washington found itself facing growing economic pressure, rising energy risks, escalating insurance costs, and a global market increasingly sensitive to disruptions across critical trade routes. Rather than compelling Tehran to surrender unconditionally, the conflict evolved into a contest of endurance that forced both sides back to the negotiating table.

The Iran ceasefire may have halted the fighting, but it has not addressed the deeper forces driving the conflict. As Washington, Tehran, and regional powers manage a fragile agreement, broader questions are emerging around energy security, sanctions, global trade, the future of the petrodollar, and the rise of systemic power. This FTN analysis explores how the Strait of Hormuz, financial networks, AI, and geopolitical competition are shaping the next phase of the global order

Why are central banks buying gold at record levels while governments race to dominate artificial intelligence? The answer has little to do with inflation and far more to do with power. Beneath the AI revolution lies a growing competition for energy, strategic resources, and economic resilience. Gold's resurgence may be one of the clearest signs that the next global order will be built on both digital and physical foundations.

According to new data from the European Central Bank, gold has overtaken US Treasuries as the world's largest reserve asset held by central banks. Bullion now accounts for 27 percent of global reserve assets, surpassing US government bonds at 22 percent. The shift marks far more than a change in portfolio management. It signals a deeper transformation unfolding beneath the surface of the international financial system.

Nearly two months after the guns were supposed to fall silent, the "long game" in the Iran conflict appears far from over. What began as a projected 40-day military confrontation has evolved into a grueling contest of endurance—defined by economic friction, maritime pressure, and political resolve stretching from the Persian Gulf to Washington's Situation Room.