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In October, gold hit a significant milestone, reaching $4,000 an ounce for the first time. Less than four months later, the precious metal is well on its way to $4,900 an ounce in an astonishing push that shows no signs of stopping. Late Tuesday, January 20, gold hit a new record high of $4,800 an ounce, and by Wednesday morning, it rose to over $4,880 an ounceup more than 12% year-to-date (YTD) and up about 76% over the last 12 months. A report from the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) predicts gold could trade anywhere between $3,450 and $7,150 an ounce in 2026. Analysts surveyed by the LBMA predict wildly different figures, with Robin Bhar of RBMC forecasting an average of $4,000 per ounce, and Julia Du of the ICBC Standard Bank predicting an average of $6,050 per ounce. Silver has also continued its surge right alongside gold. The precious metal surpassed $95 per ounce for the first time on Tuesday. It has fluttered ever since, dropping within $2 less an ounce, before reaching above $95 again and again. Silvers new record-high figure is up about 34% YTD, and up more than 201% over the last year. In the LBMA report, Du took an equally bullish stance on silver, forecasting an average of $125 per ounce, while Bart Melek of TD Securities predicted an average of $44.25 per ounce. Why do gold and silver continue to rise? Gold and silver are seen as safe-haven assets at a time of intense geopolitical uncertainty. This week has seen President Donald Trump continue his push to take Greenland by whatever means necessary. Today, he is attending the World Economic Forum in Davos to further his demands, and push back against European leaders who oppose them. Over the weekend, Trump threatened tariffs of up to 25% on eight European countries, including the United Kingdom and Denmark.
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E-Commerce
Right now, too many physicians and patients are trapped in a fragmented system. Information existsbut rarely in a form thats usable or easily actionable. Too often, lab results arrive as scanned images. Medication histories show up late or unreadable. Critical details hide in pages no one has time to sift through. What clinicians feel in those moments is not just inconvenienceits strain. Theyre carrying the weight of navigating a complexity that shouldnt sit on their shoulders in the first place. Many expect artificial intelligence (AI) to solve the problem but while it can be an important part of the solution, AI is only as smart as the data it feeds on and only as effective as the structure that enables it. When information is incomplete, inconsistent, or locked in silos, even the most advanced tools struggle to deliver meaningful insight. AI plays an important rolebut not by fixing fragmented data on its own. The work of organizing, connecting, and interpreting healthcare information still belongs to people and the systems they build. Where AI helps is after that foundation is in place: by bringing the right information forward at the right time, reducing the effort it takes to find what matters, and supporting better decisions in the moment of care. The next era of healthcare innovation wont be driven by larger AI models. It will be driven by how well we prepare the information they rely on. The benefits of AI AI is already helping clinicians reclaim time. It drafts documentation, supports communication, and reduces administrative burden reducing the pressures that drive burnout. A nationwide survey of more than 500 physicians and administrators conducted by athenaInstitute for its AI on the Frontlines of Care report found that 64% of clinicians said documentation-related AI reduces their workload, and nearly half identified time saved as AIs most important benefit. What stands out is how often clinicians describe these savings in terms of what they get back: the ability to be present with their patients. Less administrative pressure doesnt just lighten their workloadit changes how they show up in the exam room. Thats powerful. But these gains reveal a deeper truth: AI performs best when the information around it is complete, consistent, and interpretable. For too many medical practices across the nation, thats the exception, not the rule. AI only works when the data works Clinicians consistently report difficulty accessing what they need when they need it, according to athenaInstitutes research. Nearly half say they encounter inconsistent formats or information that is simply hard to locate. Only 2% report having timely, comprehensive visibility across systems. This disconnect has real consequences. AI cannot flag early signs that a patients condition is worsening if key information is missing. It cant prevent duplicative testing when records dont follow patients across medical settings. It cant strengthen clinical reasoning when the underlying information contradicts itself. AI is a force multiplier, but it can only magnify what already exists. If the data is fragmented, the insight will be fragmented too. This is why interoperability matters to every one of us, whether we realize it or not. For clinicians, its the difference between piecing together bits of information or having a clear picture of their patients. For patients, its the difference between reciting the same information repeatedly or speaking face-to-face with your physician, with no distractions. AI adoption grows when it reduces friction in the workflows clinicians struggle with most: documentation, intake, communication, scheduling, and claims. Trust grows when AI is transparent, monitored, and clinically grounded. Safety grows when interoperability and standardization serve as the backbone of clarity. Four shifts that will shape the future The organizations that unlock AIs full value will be the ones that build the strongest data foundation. Leading organizations will take four actions. 1. Curate, not accumulate. Clinicians dont need more data. They need meaningful data that supports their ability to treat patients. 2. Standardize to simplify. Predictable structure in the dataformats, fields and definitionsreduces friction and cognitive load. 3. Make intelligence portable. Patients move. Their information should move with themintact, interpretable, and ready to support the next moment of care. 4. Support intuitive interpretation. The best AI surfaces what matters, explains why, and reinforcesnot replacesclinician judgment. When these elements come together, AI stops functioning as a series of disconnected tools and starts acting as a true intelligence partnerone that provides clarity instead of noise. Healthcare has never lacked dedication, intelligence, or compassion. What it has lacked is claritythe ability to see the full picture when it matters most. AI can help deliver that clarity, but only when its built on a system that speaks a common language. If we invest in connected, usable data today, we wont just make healthcare more efficient. Well make it more human. And thats the kind of progress and innovation patients, clinicians, and communities deserve. Stacy Simpson is chief marketing officer at athenahealth and co-chair of athenaInstitute.
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E-Commerce
The EAT-Lancet Commission gives us a clear roadmap: If we want to feed 10 billion people without destroying the planet, we need to radically transform our diets by eating more whole grains, more legumes, and fewer ultra-processed foods. The problem? We’re asking consumers to overhaul their eating habits while competing against an entire industry that has spent decadesand billions of dollarsengineering products to be scientifically irresistible. Whole foods don’t stand a chance against ultra-processed alternatives optimized for addictive taste and shelf stability, unless they can deliver on both flavor and texture. SUSTAINABLE FOOD NEEDS TO BE DELICIOUS Consumers shouldnt have to sacrifice the planet for great taste, and thats where the food industry has failed us. The pasta category represents a promising opportunity to change this narrative. Its a universal comfort food beloved across cultures, income levels, and palates. Pasta is uniquely positioned to lead this shift, not just because its loved, but because it can naturally carry whole grains, legumes, and nutrient-dense ingredients without disrupting the eating experience consumers value most. Yet most “better-for-you” pastas have disappointed consumers. Grainy textures, chalky aftertastes, mushy mouthfeelthe category has trained people to expect compromise. Nutritious ingredients shouldnt disrupt expectations. Creating more nutritious pasta that delivers the taste consumers expect requires studying how different plant proteins behave during extrusion, how hydration affects structure, and how to preserve the al dente bite that defines great pasta. The goal in product development is not to mimic traditional semolina pasta but to unlock an exciting, satisfying way to enjoy legumes, celebrating their natural flavor, texture, and nutritional value rather than disguising them. If food companies want to stay both relevant and responsible, true innovation should be a tool for sustainability, not just a marketing message. And real innovation starts with the food itself: naturally nutritious, minimally processed ingredients are inherently good for people and the planet. START WITH HOW FOOD IS DEVELOPED But equally important is how we develop food. This work doesnt happen only in labs; it happens in kitchens. The industry needs more chefs, not just scientists; people who understand how flavors interact, how ingredients behave, and how to creatively blend them into something both nourishing and craveable. The kitchen is quite literally the heart of our companythe place where chefs experiment, teams gather, colleagues taste prototypes, and spontaneous conversations shape the next generation of products. Its where flavor, nutrition, and sustainability meet in practice, not theory. This collaborative, culinary-first approach is what ensures that better-for-you food doesnt just check boxes; it genuinely delights. How we communicate this to consumers is essential. For years, the language of healthy eating has become almost clinicala maze of disclaimers and technical jargon. We need to bring the conversation back to clarity and enjoyment: explaining why wholesome ingredients matter, how minimal processing supports better health and a more satisfying eating experience, all without compromise. Clearer language and education won’t just help consumers make better choices; it will help them understand why the choices exist in the first place. TASTE MUST DRIVE CHANGE But achieving this is a cultural shift, not a quick fix. It demands patience, steady investment, and a willingness to prioritize long-term impact over short-term wins. And it cannot rest on food companies alone. Real progress requires alignment across the entire food value chain, from manufacturers to retailers and distributors, with retailers playing a particularly powerful role in shaping access, visibility, and everyday choice. We cant wait for consumers to demand better. All stakeholders need to lead proactively by creating better options, making them accessible, and letting great taste drive adoption. The future of the planetand the health of billionsdepends on the choices we make today. Carlo Stocco is the managing director of Andriani/Felicia North America.
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E-Commerce
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