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Russia says U.S.-Russian woman arrested over suspected treason for helping Ukraine’s armed forces
Moscow — Russia’s FSB security services said on Tuesday it had arrested a woman with dual U.S.-Russian nationality who was suspected of treason for raising funds for the Ukrainian army. The FSB in the central Urals city of Yekaterinburg said it had “suppressed the illegal activities” of a 33-year-old woman, whom it identified only as dual national and resident of Los Angeles, and taken her into custody.
It said the woman had been “proactively collecting funds… which were subsequently used to purchase tactical medical items, equipment, means of destruction and ammunition for the Ukrainian armed forces.”
Reuters/RU24
The announcement came just four days before the two-year mark of Russia’s ongoing, full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which sparked the most devastating war on the European continent since the end of World War II.
President Biden has been pushing U.S. lawmakers to clear additional funding for Ukraine, which analysts say is vital to ensuring the country can continue to defend itself against the Russian aggression.
Russian state news agency RIA Novosti posted a video from the FSB showing hooded officers handcuffing and escorting a woman in a white coat with a white hat pulled down over her eyes.
The FSB said she had been acting “against the security of our country” and had been supporting the Ukrainian army while in the United States.
Treason is punishable by up to life in prison under legislation toughened since the start of the military offensive.
Several U.S. nationals are currently imprisoned in Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested last year on espionage charges that he, his employer and the U.S. government have rejected as baseless.
Former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan has been in prison in Russia since 2018, serving a 16-year sentence on espionage charges. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week that he had spoken on the phone with Whelan, whom, along with Gershkovich, the U.S. has deemed to be wrongfully detained by Russia.
“Our intensive efforts to bring Paul home continue every single day, and they will until he and Evan Gershkovich and every other American wrongfully detained is back with their loved ones,” Blinken said after the call.
Another dual U.S.-Russian national, journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, is also being held in pre-trial detention. He faces charges of failing to register as a “foreign agent” and contravening Russia’s strict military censorship laws.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he wants to negotiate a prisoner exchange to swap Russians imprisoned abroad for U.S. citizens detained in Russia. The U.S. and Russia have carried out previous prisoner swaps, including the high-profile exchange at the end of 2022 that saw Russia release WNBA star Brittney Griner in exchange for the notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout, who had been jailed for years in the U.S.
A person in Louisiana has the first severe illness caused by bird flu in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday.
Officials determined the patient had exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks, though an investigation into the source of the infection in the state is ongoing. This is also the first case of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. that has been linked to exposure to a backyard flock, a news release noted. Officials have not shared details on the patient’s symptoms.
The case was first confirmed by health officials Friday, adding to the total of 61 reported human cases of H5 bird flu reported in the United States. Another severe case of H5N1 has been reported in a teen in British Columbia.
A release from the Louisiana Department of Health Wednesday added the patient, a resident of southwestern Louisiana, is currently hospitalized. Until now, the H5N1 cases in the U.S. have been mild, including conjunctivitis and upper respiratory symptoms.
“While the current public health risk for the general public is low, people who work with birds, poultry or cows, or have recreational exposure to them, are at higher risk,” the state’s health department added.
Mild illnesses have been seen in dairy and poultry workers who had close contact with infected animals. In two cases, no known source of the illnesses have been identified, which has worried infectious disease experts about the possibility of human-to-human transmission, which could trigger a pandemic.
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Gold has long served as a safe-haven asset for investors during times of economic uncertainty and market volatility, which is a large part of why it has been so popular over the past year. Thanks to that uptick in gold interest, the price of gold has been climbing throughout much of 2024 — hitting multiple record highs and surpassing $2,700 per ounce at one point late in the year. That price trend has been shifting lately, though, and over the last few weeks, there have been significant fluctuations in gold prices, with the price of gold dropping over the last few days in particular.
With gold’s price currently sitting at under $2,650 per ounce, today’s lower price is prompting many investors to reassess their positions in gold-related investments — including gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These investment vehicles, which track the price of gold without requiring physical ownership of the precious metal, have become increasingly popular among retail and institutional investors alike. Much of the appeal of gold ETFs lies in their simplicity and accessibility. Unlike physical gold, these funds can be easily bought and sold through standard brokerage accounts, offering investors a convenient way to gain exposure to gold price movements.
But while the current price dip could present a good opportunity to buy into gold at a discount, it makes sense to remain cautious about any type of investment right now. So is investing in gold ETFs still a good strategy now that the price of gold is slipping?
Find out how to add gold to your portfolio today.
Are gold ETFs a good investment now that the price is dropping?
When gold prices drop, it can create opportunities for investors to buy at a lower cost, potentially increasing their returns if prices rebound. Gold ETFs provide an easy way to capitalize on this strategy. Unlike physical gold, ETFs can be traded on stock exchanges just like equities, offering liquidity and convenience. They also eliminate the need for storage and security concerns associated with owning physical gold.
There are also a few other reasons to consider investing in gold ETFs despite the current price drops. For starters, gold ETFs offer an efficient way to implement dollar-cost averaging during price dips. By regularly investing fixed amounts, investors can potentially lower their average purchase price over time. This strategy can be particularly effective during periods of price volatility, allowing investors to accumulate positions at various price points.
And while gold prices may be dipping now, it’s unlikely that today’s lower prices will remain the status quo over the longer term. Gold prices have historically rebounded and grown over longer time horizons, so while the current price may be lower than it was a few weeks ago, it could represent a good entry point for long-term investors. That’s particularly true if the fundamental factors supporting gold prices remain intact, such as inflation concerns, currency devaluation risks and global economic uncertainties.
However, investors should consider that there are risks to investing in gold ETFs. One issue is that gold ETFs are subject to market volatility and may not provide immediate returns — so it’s important to make any investing decision based on your unique investment goals and strategy. Gold also generates no income or dividends, making it a pure price appreciation play. The opportunity cost of holding gold ETFs also becomes more significant in high-rate environments where yield-generating investments become more attractive.
Diversify your investments by adding gold to your portfolio now.
Who should invest in gold ETFs now?
While investing in gold ETFs may not make sense for all investors right now, it could be particularly suitable for certain types. For example, investors who need to diversify their portfolios may find gold ETFs attractive, as gold has historically shown a low correlation with traditional asset classes like stocks and bonds. So, the current price drop could present an opportunity to achieve portfolio diversification at more favorable prices.
Risk-conscious investors who are looking to hedge against inflation, currency risks or geopolitical uncertainties might also want to consider adding gold ETF exposure. After all, with the uptick in inflation over the last few months, gold’s historical role as a store of value remains relevant right now, despite the potential for short-term price volatility. Long-term investors might also find current prices attractive in terms of building strategic positions.
However, short-term traders and income-focused investors may want to exercise caution when it comes to gold ETFs. Gold’s price volatility can make short-term trading challenging, while the lack of yield may not align with income-oriented investment objectives.
The bottom line
The current drop in gold prices presents an intriguing opportunity for investors who are interested in gold ETFs, but it’s essential to weigh the potential risks and rewards of this type of gold investing carefully. Gold ETFs offer a convenient and liquid way to gain exposure to gold, making them a viable option for many investors, but they are just one of several ways to invest in this precious metal. Whether or not gold ETFs are the right choice for you will ultimately depend on your investment objectives, risk tolerance and overall portfolio strategy, so before you buy in, do your homework to make sure your decision aligns with your long-term goals.