Gold and other precious metals saw a decline on Friday as spot gold prices slipped, setting the stage for an overall weekly downturn. According to market data, spot gold decreased by 0.5 percent to trade at $4,326.75 per ounce, while United States gold futures for December delivery fell nearly 1.0 percent to $4,382.50 per ounce. These market pullbacks followed a brief surge on Thursday, when bullion prices reached their highest levels in over two months before retreating 1.3 percent amid profit taking.
According to official assessments released on Friday by international health authorities, the public health emergency in Central Africa is rapidly intensifying at an unprecedented pace. The World Health Organization confirmed that unless swift measures are taken to contain unmonitored community transmission and resolve regional supply chain issues, the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will break all previous death toll records. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the epidemic’s current trajectory could surpass the devastating 2014–2016 West African outbreak, which claimed over 11,000 lives.
Health
According to official assessments released on Friday by international health authorities, the public health emergency in Central Africa is rapidly intensifying at an unprecedented pace. The World Health Organization confirmed that unless swift measures are taken to contain unmonitored community transmission and resolve regional supply chain issues, the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will break all previous death toll records. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the epidemic’s current trajectory could surpass the devastating 2014–2016 West African outbreak, which claimed over 11,000 lives.
Travel
Etihad Airways plans to start seasonal nonstop flights between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg on December 17, 2026. These flights will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027. The route will link the UAE capital with Sweden’s second-largest city during the winter travel season. Tickets for the new service from Abu Dhabi to Gothenburg are currently available. Flights will operate between Zayed International Airport and Göteborg Landvetter Airport.
Technology
UN child safety push targets AI, disinformation and harmful online platform practices. Ahead of International Youth Day on Aug. 12, the Department of Global Communications issued the brief. According to the report, over 82% of individuals aged 15 to 24 are internet users globally. Such access fosters educational opportunities, civic involvement, and economic inclusion. Nonetheless, harmful online environments can negatively influence the cognitive, emotional, and social growth of young users. The document also highlights that children and teenagers are still developing critical skills for evaluating online information. The UN categorizes these threats into three groups: technology, distribution channels, and harmful content. Risks related to technology include misuse of digital tools and AI. Distribution issues involve algorithms, digital inequality, and limited access to independent journalism. Content-related dangers encompass disinformation, online harassment, and hate speech. The report notes these issues often overlap because technology influences how information is disseminated and which content gains prominence across digital platforms. Scrutiny intensifies on digital platforms’ approach to child safety A key focus of the brief is on how leading technology firms design their digital offerings and generate revenue. It indicates that attention-driven systems can promote practices that exploit psychological vulnerabilities among young users. Data collection and behavioral advertising further enable highly tailored marketing strategies. The report underscores concerns about exposure to extreme content and features that foster compulsive use. It urges tech companies and AI creators to embed child rights and safety considerations into their product and service development processes. Various governments worldwide are exploring