A fresh funding deadline is pushing Washington back toward shutdown territory, with disputes spanning spending priorities, border policy, defense, and social programs. Markets typically price shutdowns as short-term volatility; the real economic hit depends on duration. Extended closures can slow growth, disrupt contracts, and delay key data releases.

Gold and silver’s “Black Friday” drop was driven by crowded positioning, stretched charts, and margin-driven liquidation. Gold saw one of its sharpest one-day declines in decades; silver’s plunge was more violent due to thinner liquidity and faster air-pocket moves.

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