International News 27 January 2026
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Gold Surges Past $5,000 as Geopolitical Uncertainty Fuels Safe-Haven Rush
Gold prices jumped to a record above US$5,000 per troy ounce early this week, extending a historic rally as investors flocked to safe-haven assets amid rising geopolitical and policy uncertainty. On Monday (Jan 26, 2026) at 09:20 WIB, spot gold rose 1.79% to US$5,071.96 per ounce after touching a peak of US$5,085.50, while U.S. gold futures for February delivery climbed the same amount to US$5,068.70. Gold surged 64% in 2025 and is already up more than 17% this year, supported by sustained safe-haven demand, looser U.S. monetary policy, strong central bank buying—China extended its gold purchases for a 14th straight month in December—and record inflows into gold ETFs. Analysts say the latest catalyst is a growing crisis of confidence in U.S. governance and assets, driven by unpredictable policy moves by President Donald Trump, including shifting tariff threats against Europe, Canada, and France. A weaker U.S. dollar—pressured by a strengthening yen and caution ahead of this week’s Federal Reserve meeting—has also made gold more attractive to non-dollar investors. Metals Focus projects gold could peak around US$5,500 by year-end, with any corrections likely to be short-lived due to strong buying interest. The rally has spilled over into other precious metals: silver rose above US$100 for the first time, platinum hit US$2,857, and palladium climbed to US$2,074, reflecting tight physical markets and momentum-driven investor flows.
Jamie Dimon: “World War III Has Already Begun” — Global Tensions Become Increasingly Real
JPMorgan Chase CEO, Jamie Dimon, has again sparked global debate after stating that World War III has essentially already begun. He delivered this statement during the Institute of International Finance annual meeting in Washington DC in October 2024. According to Dimon, the threat of war and nuclear weapons proliferation is now far more dangerous than climate change. He highlighted the increase in coordinated conflicts across various countries as well as the potential confrontation between Western nations and China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea as a primary risk that even surpasses the threat of global financial market volatility. Dimon also revealed that JPMorgan Chase has prepared various extreme scenarios to face the possibility of global conflict. Although World War III has not officially occurred, geopolitical escalation since late 2024 has become increasingly felt, partly triggered by United States foreign policy. In the past year, President Donald Trump's administration imposed massive tariffs not only on China and Russia, but also on close allies such as Canada and the European Union. Trump also drew international criticism after repeatedly stating the desire for the US to “own” Greenland to secure strategic mineral resources, although he later announced a temporary framework agreement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. This step was opposed by many world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK PM Keir Starmer, and was even criticized from within the US Republican Party as an “absurd” and inappropriate action toward a NATO ally.
Nikkei Slides as Yen Strength and Intervention Fears Weigh on Sentiment
Japan’s Nikkei index fell sharply on Monday (Jan 26, 2026), pressured by a stronger yen and growing concerns over possible currency intervention that made investors cautious about taking new positions. The yen strengthened to as much as 154.22 per U.S. dollar, its highest level in over three months, after a sudden surge last Friday fueled speculation of intervention. Reuters sources said the New York Federal Reserve conducted a “rate check” on the dollar-yen pair, a move seen as a potential signal of imminent intervention, possibly coordinated between U.S. and Japanese authorities. A stronger yen dampens the value of overseas earnings for major Japanese exporters, weighing on overall market performance. The Nikkei dropped 1.6% to 53,008.67, with 196 of its 225 components ending in the red, while the broader Topix index slid 1.8% to 3,565.76. Automakers were hit hardest, with the sector down 2.8%, followed by rubber stocks (-2.5%); Toyota and Honda fell 3.1% and 3.7%, respectively. SoftBank Group was the biggest drag on the Nikkei, plunging 4.2% and shaving 142 points off the index. In contrast, AI-related plays Furukawa Electric and Fujikura gained 6.4% and 2.2% on optimism over data center investments. Nomura strategist Maki Sawada said intervention risks remain and the outlook is unclear, making it difficult for traders to position in both currency and equity markets.
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