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Remains of missing 12-year-old girl in Australia found after apparent crocodile attack
The remains of a 12-year-old girl have been found in Australia after an apparent crocodile attack. Police said the girl’s remains were found in a river system near where she went missing two days earlier in the Northern Territory’s Indigenous community of Palumpa, according to The Associated Press.
Northern Territory Police said Thursday that the injuries on the girl’s body confirmed a crocodile attack, adding that her remains were found after an “extensive search effort.”
“The recovery has been made. It was particularly gruesome and a sad, devasting outcome,” Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson said. “It was an extremely difficult, essentially 36 hours… For the family, it is the most devastating outcome possible for them. They are in a state of extreme shock and disbelief.”
In a statement shared on the Facebook page for the Northern Territory’s emergency services, Gibson said officers were providing support to the family and the local community.
Gibson was quoted by the AP a saying officials were still trying searching for the crocodile to trap the animal, as the territorial creatures often remain in and around the same area.
“We live in a place where crocodiles occupy our water places,” Northern Territory Police Minister Brent Potter said, according to CBS News partner network BBC News. “It’s just a reminder to stay out of the water as best we can.”
According to the Northern Territory’s tourism site, the region is home to the world’s largest wild crocodile population, with more than 100,000 freshwater and saltwater predators. The latter can grow up to 20 feet long.
“The more common and more dangerous species is the saltwater crocodile,” the tourism website says. “These ‘salties’ side along the coastline and waterways of the Territory. They have a taste for fish, but will eat just about anything including cows and buffaloes, wild boar, turtles, birds and crabs.”
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NEW JERSEY — Rep. Mikie Sherrill is joining the race to become New Jersey’s next governor.
Sherrill, a Democrat first elected to the U.S. House in 2018 and reelected this year, announced her campaign for governor early this morning in a video on YouTube.
A former military helicopter pilot, Sherrill is entering her fourth term representing New Jersey’s 11th district. She does not have to resign to run for governor.
List of candidates for NJ governor grows
The field to succeed Gov. Phil Murphy, who is term-limited and cannot run in 2025, is getting deeper on the Democratic side.
Last week, Rep. Josh Gottheimer launched his campaign for governor, joining former State Sen. Stephen Sweeney, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who all previously announced their bids.
Sources indicated at the time to CBS News New York that Sherrill’s announcement would be not far behind Gottheimer’s.
On the Republican side, State Sen. Jon Bramnick, Jack Ciattarelli, who narrowly lost to Murphy in 2021, and Bill Spadea have all entered the race.
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Gold shattered historic records in 2024, hitting $2,790 per ounce in October, its upward price trajectory stemming from heavy central bank buying, ongoing inflation concerns and expected Federal Reserve rate cuts. As a result, the investors who bought in early this year have already seen impressive returns, defying gold’s reputation as only a long-term investment.
While the price of gold has dipped over the last couple of weeks, this could still be a good time to invest. Luciano Duque, chief investment officer of C3 Bullion, points to China’s shift toward physical gold ownership and new banking regulations that favor physical gold over paper assets as key drivers for continued growth.
But what are the best gold investments to make before 2025? We asked industry professionals this exact question. Here’s what they had to say about each gold option, how they work and who they’re best for.
Find out how to get started with gold investing now.
These are the best gold investments to make before 2025, experts say
Below are four promising gold investments to consider before the new year. Each offers different benefits and levels of risk. Your best choice will depend on your investment timeline, risk tolerance and whether you prefer direct ownership or market exposure.
Physical gold
Physical gold in the form of coins and bars stands out as one of the safest and most reliable investment options. A key reason to invest in physical gold is there’s no counterparty risk.
“[It’s great if you’re] looking to preserve wealth, diversify [your] portfolio and maintain direct control of [your] assets,” says Alex Ebkarian, COO and co-founder of Allegiance Gold.
For beginners, he recommends the following:
- Start with one-ounce gold bars from well-known brands.
- Understand key terms such as “spot price” and “premiums” before buying.
- Know the difference between investment-grade gold and gold that isn’t investment-grade.
- Work with reputable dealers who offer education, secure storage options and transparent pricing.
- Remember that physical gold requires a longer-term outlook and comes with storage fees and upfront premium costs.
Brandon Aversano, founder of The Alloy Market, recommends investing in smaller gold bars.
“They’re cheaper and easier to manage [than] larger bars,” Aversano says. This is ideal if you need to make quick portfolio adjustments.
Add the right gold investment to your portfolio today.
Gold ETFs
Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer a convenient way to add gold to your portfolio without the hassle of storing physical metal.
“They’re easy to [buy] via brokerages and fairly liquid in case you need cash quickly,” says Ebkarian.
But before investing in gold ETFs, consider their ongoing costs. Most funds charge annual management fees. For example, popular ETFs may charge around 0.4% per year. Also, remember that your investment depends on stock exchange operations and electronic trading systems (unlike physical gold which you can hold directly).
Aversano points out that ETFs can contribute to a balanced gold investing strategy.
“Many miss out on [returns from] gold-related assets [such as] ETFs [because they] focus [too much] on physical gold,” he says.
Diversifying your investment type can expose you to other opportunities while minimizing risks.
Gold mining stocks
“If you want to leverage the potential move in gold and have an appetite for risk, then investing in a mining company is a good option,” says Ebkarian. As gold prices rise, mining company profits often increase even faster. You could gain higher returns than gold itself.
However, successful investing in gold mining stocks requires careful research and due diligence. You must evaluate each company’s management track record, production costs and growth prospects. Ebkarian warns that mining companies may operate in foreign countries, exposing them to political risks. They also face challenges with business partnerships and daily operations.
As a result, this investment option tends to suit experienced investors who understand the gold market and stock analysis. Unlike physical gold or ETFs, mining stocks can be affected by factors beyond gold prices.
Gold futures and options
Gold futures and options let you trade gold without owning the metal. But you’re essentially betting on the precious metal’s future price.
“This is the most risky of the ways to invest and requires specialized knowledge,” cautions Ebkarian.
These complex financial instruments work best for sophisticated investors who understand gold markets well. You must be familiar with derivatives and stay on top of changing margin requirements. Market conditions can shift quickly, leading to significant gains or losses in short periods.
The bottom line
Smart gold investing before 2025 may require a mix of strategies. “Looking into the future, I expect to see more interaction between physical gold and derivatives,” says Aversano. Physical gold offers reliable protection and derivatives provide flexibility for market changes.
Before investing, consult a financial advisor to determine which gold investments fit your goals and risk tolerance. They can help you create a balanced strategy that protects your wealth while maintaining proper portfolio diversification.