Economy

Gold prices surged on Monday, February 23, 2026, exceeding $5,170 per ounce as escalating trade tensions and a weakening dollar fueled investor demand for the safe-haven asset. Spot gold rose 1.8% to reach $5,175.55 per ounce, although U.S. Gold futures jumped 1.7% to $5,165.86, according to reports from Youm7 and Maspero.

The rally follows an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump of a new package of global tariffs amounting to 10% for a period of 150 days, invoking Section 122 of the U.S. Trade Act. This move comes in response to a Supreme Court decision limiting the President’s authority regarding tariffs, as reported by Youm7. The Supreme Court ruling has created uncertainty regarding trade deals negotiated with the United States, further contributing to market anxieties.

The uncertainty surrounding U.S. Trade policy has prompted investors to seek refuge in gold, traditionally viewed as a store of value during times of economic and political instability. Nabd reported that the ruling sparked doubts about agreements the U.S. Had reached with key trading partners. The dollar’s subsequent decline following the court’s decision likewise lowered the price of gold for many international buyers.

Trump’s announcement of the new tariffs, made on Saturday, aims to maintain protectionist trade measures despite the Supreme Court’s limitations on his authority. This escalation in trade conflict is a primary driver of the current gold price increase, according to multiple reports.

The surge in gold prices represents a continuation of a strong four-day upward trend, driven by the escalating trade dispute and recent U.S. Economic data that has bolstered the metal’s appeal as a safe haven.

Belgian mobile phone users are potentially overpaying for their contracts if they have remained with the same provider for two to five years, according to a report published Monday by HLN. The analysis indicates that current market offerings provide significantly more data, minutes, and SMS messages for comparable monthly costs.

The report highlights that, as of late 2024, an average monthly price could secure a subscriber 150 call minutes, 500 text messages, and 5 GB of mobile data with hey! Mobile S. This contrasts with the potential costs incurred by long-term subscribers who have not renegotiated or switched providers.

The findings reach amid a broader trend of mobile providers adjusting pricing and data volumes in 2026. Recent reports indicate that some providers are increasing prices by up to 6 euros per month. Mega, still, is not currently implementing such increases, according to HLN reporting from December 10, 2025.

The affordability of mobile plans is also a key consideration for younger users. Plans starting from 4 euros per month are available, specifically targeted towards teenagers, offering a cost-effective option for families.

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