Latest news with #Agar
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Gold rises Rs1,400 as global market recovers
Listen to article Gold prices in Pakistan rose on Wednesday, tracking gains in the international market as investors sought bargains following a dip in the previous session. The local uptick comes amid global anticipation surrounding the release of minutes from the US Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting. According to the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the price of gold per tola climbed by Rs1,400 to reach Rs349,300. Similarly, the price of 10 grams of gold increased by Rs1,200, settling at Rs299,468. This rebound followed a sharp drop on Tuesday when gold fell by Rs3,600 per tola to close at Rs347,900. Commenting on the trend, Adnan Agar, Director at Interactive Commodities, noted that international gold prices remained volatile but within a defined trading range. "The market touched a high of $3,325 and a low of $3,290 today, currently trading around $3,300," he said. "The $3,270 level is proving to be a strong support, from where the market has bounced back. On the upside, $3,350 is a key resistance." He explained that gold has been trading in a range-bound pattern, citing historical movements from $3,120 to $3,600. "Profit-taking is likely when prices approach upper resistance levels. On the downside, unresolved tariff issues and geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, continue to weigh on sentiment." Agar added that unless these global hurdles are permanently resolved, gold is expected to remain within the $3,270 to $3,360 range. "A breakout beyond either end could push prices towards $3,200 or $3,420-3,500, respectively," he concluded. Globally, gold prices rose on Wednesday as traders sought bargains following the previous session's declines, while the market remains focused on minutes from the Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting due later in the day, according to Reuters. Spot gold gained 0.4% to $3,312.05 an ounce by 1255 GMT, after hitting a session low of $3,285.19 on Tuesday. US gold futures rose 0.3% to $3,310.60. "The gold market has been kind of choppy recently, just reacting to fresh daily fundamental news events with no real trending price action. In the near term, the market top is in place," Jim Wyckoff, Senior Analyst at Kitco Metals, said. "The minutes can be market movers. Market watchers are going to be looking at new comments on inflation this afternoon." Minutes of the Fed's May policy meeting are due at 1800 GMT. The meeting took place amid heightened concern over global trade tensions, following President Trump's early April announcement of major new import tariffs. Some of the most aggressive tariffs were eased or delayed a week later. Gold, which performs well in a low-interest rate environment and serves as a safe haven during times of uncertainty, has gained 26% so far this year and hit a record high in April.
Vancouver Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
South of Fraser boom in ridership fuels growth in TransLink passenger count
Booming transit use south of the Fraser River has propelled TransLink's overall ridership in 2024 to near pre-pandemic levels and, on a per capita basis, surpassed Toronto's TTC and remained second only to Montreal's STM. TransLink's R6 Scott Road-Newton Exchange route in Surrey was brand new in 2024, but quickly became the transit agency's sixth busiest route with 5.16 million boardings, which is emblematic of the system's overall growth, according to the agency's 2024 service performance review. TransLink said in its 2024 service performance review that passengers took 240.9 million trips on buses, SkyTrain, the Canada Line and SeaBus, which was 7.7 million more than in 2023. The rate outpaced the increase in drivers on Metro Vancouver roads over the same period. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Most of those new trips were due to an 11.4 increase in ridership on routes in Surrey, North Delta, White Rock and Langley. And while TransLink had ridership increase by three per cent, trips by car rose only one per cent — something that transit advocate Denis Agar said squelches the myth that no one wants to take transit, even in car-dominant suburbs such as Surrey. '(Surrey) has transit ridership that rivals major American cities, even in their urban cores,' said Agar, executive director of the advocacy group Movement: Metro Vancouver Transit Riders. Agar noted that the biggest increases in ridership were on routes where TransLink made big improvements, such as with the expanding existing service into the R6 Scott Road route, increasing frequency on the 321 Surrey Central Station to White Rock route, and on the 323 Surrey Central Station to Newton route. 'Really, the story to me is that frequency attracts riders and we basically have this 'easy button' to press to decongest our streets and to give people more access to jobs and housing and education,' Agar said. 'And that's to just run more buses.' However, Agar said Movement's analysis of TransLink's data shows the opposite is also true that 'reduced service drives people away from transit.' Agar mentioned the 8 Fraser bus in Vancouver, which had frequency cut to service every 15 minutes from the level of service every six minutes that was in place in 2019, and ridership following COVID 19 restrictions has only recovered to 47 per cent of prior levels. 'TransLink should definitely keep advocating for more funding,' Agar said. 'We have an increase in funding of five per cent between now and 2027, which is not enough and they know that.' The transit authority had to make hard choices to reduce services in Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster in order to reallocate buses to high-growth Surrey and Langley, said TransLink spokesperson Dan Mountain However, Mountain said the interim funding deal TransLink struck with the province in its 2025 investment plan will allow it to reverse some of those cuts. 'The good news is that now, with the funding acquired through the 2025 investment plan, we will be able to expand service across the board without having to reallocate service,' Mountain said. '(But) we acknowledge that those three years really did have an impact on some of those slower-to-recover routes.' Decisions on increasing frequency will be driven by data on where demand for service and where routes are overcrowded, Mountain said. 'The 2025 investment plan will increase service on 50 of the most overcrowded bus routes throughout the region,' Mountain said. '(That) includes many routes in Vancouver and UBC and in the downtown core.' Mountain said the 2024 performance review demonstrated that there is growing demand for service, that increasing service encourages people to get out of their cars and is 'a testament to a reliable system.' Its RapidBus service, for instance, consists of just six routes on the North Shore, in Vancouver, Surrey and the Tri Cities to Maple Ridge, but they averaged 20,600 boardings in 2024 — 15 per cent of the total. Ridership on SkyTrain's Expo and Millennium Lines were up six per cent to 348,907 boardings on the average week day, on the Canada Line it was four per cent to 132,307 boardings. The SeaBus' ridership was lower at 16,633 per average week day, but that represented a five per cent increase. But ridership on most of TransLink's Top 10 busiest bus routes declined. The 99 B-Line from Commercial Drive SkyTrain Station to UBC, for instance, was down six per cent to 10.6 million boardings in all of 2024 from 11.3 million in 2023. On the R5 Hastings, which runs from Burrard Street to Simon Fraser University, was also down seven per cent to 4.4 million from 4.6 million in 2023. The reasons behind that, however, are difficult to parse out because some of the significant increases in service on routes across the region took effect last September, Mountain said. Mountain said numbers from the 2024 service performance review also reinforce the growth trend TransLink started seeing south of the Fraser in the fast-growing suburbs of Surrey, Langley and Delta. TransLink is adding or upgrading seven bus routes through industrial areas or office parks, such as South Newton, Campbell Heights and 88th Avenue in Surrey Mountain said. And 25 of the 50 routes due for increased service are south of the Fraser. 'The 2025 investment plan was absolutely made with south of the Fraser in mind,' Mountain said. 'It's been booming not just last year but for, I'd say, really every year since the pandemic.' depenner@
Express Tribune
20-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Gold inches up over global rally
Listen to article Gold prices in Pakistan remained relatively stable on Tuesday, despite a rise in international markets for the precious metal. The increase was influenced by a weakening US dollar and ongoing uncertainty about the US tariff policies as well as ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine. Domestically, the price of gold inched up Rs300 per tola, reaching Rs342,800, according to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA). The price of 10-gram gold rose Rs257 to Rs293,895. This follows a significant gain on Monday when gold surged Rs4,000 per tola and settled at Rs342,500. Interactive Commodities Director Adnan Agar noted that gold trading remained subdued throughout the day. "Today's range was relatively narrow, with a high of $3,250 and a low of $3,206, while the market opened at $3,234. Currently, prices are hovering around $3,224," he said. Agar added that the $3,200 level was emerging as a key support zone. "The market is consolidating within a $50 range. If prices close above $3,250 to $3,280 in the next two to three days, we may see a bullish breakout. However, a close below $3,200 could signal renewed downward pressure." Globally, gold prices rose more than 1% on Tuesday as the US dollar weakened further, while uncertainty persisted over Trump's tariff policy and the Russia-Ukraine ceasefire, according to Reuters. Spot gold was up 1.6% at $3,280.32 an ounce by 1049 ET (1449 GMT), while US gold futures were 1.5% higher at $3,283.10. The dollar slipped again on Tuesday, weighed down by the Federal Reserve's caution over the economy, having sold off broadly on Monday after ratings agency Moody's downgraded the US sovereign rating last week. A softer dollar makes bullion cheaper for buyers holding other currencies. "There's still a level of uncertainty out in the market. Most notably, the Moody's downgrade and the weakening dollar have supported the precious metals complex overall," said David Meger, Director of Metals Trading at High Ridge Futures. Meanwhile, the Pakistani rupee weakened slightly against the US dollar in the inter-bank market, registering a marginal depreciation of 0.05%. By the end of trading, the local currency settled at 281.92, down Rs0.15 compared to Monday's closing rate of 281.77. In the international market, the US dollar remained range bound after a week of gradual losses. The greenback's movement was constrained by the Federal Reserve's cautious economic outlook and progress among US lawmakers towards passing legislation, which was expected to further expand the country's fiscal deficit.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Senior spotlight: Sports and activities keep New Philadelphia High's Sloan Agar busy
Editor's Note: The Times-Reporter is profiling one senior from each of the school districts in Tuscarawas County coinciding with graduation. They were nominated by school administrators. NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ Sports and extracurricular activities keep New Philadelphia High School senior Sloan Agar busy, not always giving her a lot of time to pursue her passions of working with animals and constructing fairy gardens. Agar, 18, is the daughter of Heather and Justin Agar. At school, she participates in track and volleyball. She is also president of the student council and a member of the Key Club, the National Honor Society and the Art Club. More on graduating seniors: His business has equipment valued at $500K and he farms 300 acres. What's next? Graduation She enjoyed participating in track. "That was really fun. We have a really young team this year, so I'm making friends with freshmen. I'm one of the only seniors on the team. I have to be a leader for that," she said. "I have to take them under my wing and show them what to do, how to be at practice and try their best. Also, for them to not be nervous and know they're OK if they get freaked out after a bad race or something." New Philadelphia had a great volleyball team this year, she said. She was grateful for the work of the coaches who supported the players in everything they were involved in at high school. "It's really a family, our volleyball team." The student council does fundraisers for the Rainbow Connection, and the officers shop for people as part of their involvement in Share A Christmas, she said. "It's a lot of fun." The Key Club makes blankets and does monthly birthday visits to the shelter in New Philadelphia operated by the Friends of the Homeless of Tuscarawas County. Outside of school, Agar likes to volunteer at the shelter operated by the Tuscarawas County Humane Society. Her busy schedule hasn't allowed her to volunteer much in recent years. "I just love the animals. I love cats. I want to do it more in the summer, especially. I haven't had a chance in a bit, because I've been so busy with sports and school," she said. "I just really love animals, and I just think it would be a nice thing to do to help my community. I know they need help." Even though she loves cats, Agar said working with dogs at the shelter is more fun. In the past, she has taken dogs for walks and helped clean their cages. She plans on volunteering at the shelter this summer. More: Senior Spotlight: Emily Kuemerle overcame dyslexia and thrives at school and on the farm She has been constructing fairy gardens since she was in the seventh grade and shows them at the Tuscarawas County Fair each year. According to a fairy garden is a small garden (or corner of a garden) designed to look like an inviting spot for fairies. Fairy gardens can be in the ground or in a pot or other container. Typical fairy gardens include miniature accessories that look like they can be used by fairies. Agar puts her gardens in baskets. "Every year since the seventh grade, I've put a fairy garden in the fair. I started doing it with my grandparents. That's always just been something fun to do because I love gardening," she said. Her grandparents, Linda and Dave Agar, do a lot of gardening at their home in New Philadelphia. After graduation, Agar plans on attending Miami University of Ohio to study accounting. Following college, "I'm not really sure what I want to do. I might want to go to law school. I'm not really sure. It's kind of up in the air," she said. Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Sports, school activities kept New Philadelphia senior Sloan Agar busy
Express Tribune
14-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Gold dips amid sharp global correction
Listen to article Gold prices in Pakistan dropped on Wednesday, mirroring a significant decline in the international bullion market, where prices fell over 2%, hitting a more than one-month low, as rising optimism over global trade boosted investor appetite for riskier assets. According to data released by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the price of gold per tola in the local market slipped by Rs2,300 and settled at Rs341,900. Similarly, the rate for 10 grams of gold declined by Rs1,972 to Rs293,124. The decline comes a day after gold saw a sharp rise, with the per-tola rate surging by Rs3,700 on Tuesday to reach Rs344,200. Internationally, gold prices dropped more than 2% on Wednesday, hitting an over one-month low, as rising trade optimism boosted risk appetite, leading investors to shift away from bullion, according to Reuters. Spot gold slipped to its lowest since April 11, shedding 2.1% to $3,180.29 an ounce as of 1145 EST (1545 GMT). Bullion fell as low as $3,174.62 earlier in the session. US gold futures eased nearly 2% to $3,184.20. "The global relief rally sparked by the steep reduction in US-China tariffs has triggered a correction through technical levels in gold," said Tai Wong, an independent metals trader. Commenting on the trend, Adnan Agar, Director at Interactive Commodities, said that gold prices turned downwards, with the metal marking a low of $3,175 and a high of $3,254 during the trading session. He noted that the key support level lay between $3,150 and $3,160. A break below this could potentially send prices down to $3,100 and possibly as low as $3,000. However, Agar also hinted at a possible short-term rebound from the $3,140-3,160 range, citing technical support. "Despite potential short-term gains, the broader outlook for gold is turning bearish," he said. Improvement in the US economy, easing inflation, resolution of Chinese tariff concerns and reduced geopolitical tensions are dampening gold's appeal. Agar suggested that while gold had already seen a correction of nearly $300 globally, a larger correction in the range of $800 to $1,000 may still be on the horizon, contingent on monthly and multi-month closing patterns turning negative. "Gold's bullish momentum will likely be challenged if the metal posts a weak monthly close. A sustained downtrend over two to three months could mark the beginning of a deeper correction," he added. Meanwhile, the Pakistani rupee further declined against the US dollar on Wednesday, slipping by 0.02% in the inter-bank market. By the end of trading session, the local currency closed at 281.72, marking a modest depreciation of five paisa from Tuesday's close at 281.67. On the global front, the US dollar steadied on Wednesday after posting its sharpest drop in over three weeks a day earlier. The decline was triggered by weaker-than-expected US consumer inflation data, which strengthened expectations for potential Federal Reserve rate cuts. Meanwhile, easing global trade tensions also contributed to the dollar's relative stability.
