• Gold rises 0.1% to $4,492.51 with record high of $4,525.19.
• Silver gains $72.27 touching all-time peak of $72.70.
• Thin year-end liquidity exaggerats recent price moves.

Gold surged past the $4,500-an-ounce mark for the first time on Wednesday, while silver and platinum also scaled record highs, as investors piled into precious metals on safe-haven demand and expectations that US interest rates will fall further next year.

Spot gold rose 0.1% to $4,492.51 per ounce by 0359 GMT, after touching a record high of $4,525.19 earlier in the session. US gold futures for February delivery climbed 0.3% to a record high of $4,520.60.

Silver gained 1.2% to $72.27 an ounce, after hitting an all-time peak of $72.70 earlier, while platinum jumped 3.3% to $2,351.05 after rising to a historic high of $2,377.50.

Palladium climbed almost 2% to $1,897.11, its highest level in three years.

“Precious metals have become more of a speculative narrative around the idea that, with de-globalisation, you need an asset that can act as a neutral go-between, without sovereign risk particularly as tensions between the US and China persist,” said Ilya Spivak, head of global macro at Tastylive.

Thin year-end liquidity exaggerated recent price moves but the broader theme was likely to endure, with gold targeting $5,000 over the next six to twelve months and silver potentially pushing toward $80 as markets respond to key psychological levels, Spivak added.

Gold has surged more than 70% this year, its biggest annual gain since 1979, driven by safe-haven demand, expectations of US rate cuts, robust central-bank buying, de-dollarisation trends and ETF inflows, with traders pricing in two rate cuts next year.

Silver has jumped more than 150% over the same period, outpacing gold on strong investment demand, its inclusion on the US critical minerals list and momentum buying.

Gold and silver have “been hitting the accelerator pedal this week” with fresh record highs, reflecting their appeal as stores of value amid expectations of lower US rates and lingering global debt, said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

Platinum and palladium, primarily used in automotive catalytic converters to reduce emissions, have surged this year on tight mine supply, tariff uncertainty, and a rotation from gold investment demand, with platinum up about 160% and palladium gaining more than 100% year to date.

“What we’re seeing in platinum and palladium is largely catch-up,” Spivak said adding that the thin nature of those markets leave them vulnerable to sharp swings, even as they broadly track gold, once liquidity returns.

Kate Hudson got candid about one of her career “what ifs,” turning down a role in the original Spider-Man film.

The Oscar-nominated actress recently confirmed once and for all that she was offered a part in the first installment of Sam Raimi’s webslinger franchise.

While reading a fan-submitted question on Watch What Happens Live! on Monday, December 22, host Andy Cohen asked, “Did you really turn down the role of Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man, and do you regret it?”

“Yes, I did,” the Almost Famous star replied. “Now when I look back, it’s one of those things where I’m like, ‘That would have been nice to be in the Spider-Man movie.'”

However, she explained that passing on the role led her to a different opportunity, which she treasured a lot.

“At the same time, I did a movie called The Four Feathers. I got to meet Heath Ledger, who became a very good friend, and I had an experience I never would have had otherwise,” the 46-year-old actress and singer said. “So part of me feels like life happens exactly the way it’s supposed to, and I’m grateful for it.”

She admitted there’s a small part of her that wonders what might have been.

“I do look at that and think, ‘Aww, it would have been fun to be her,'” Hudson added.

When Cohen pointed out that the role would have meant appearing in not just one film but an entire trilogy, she responded, “I know, I know!”

What role Kate Hudson was asked to play in Spider-Man?

Hudson was reportedly offered the part of Mary Jane Watson in Raimi‘s 2002 film, but she turned it down, and Kirsten Dunst was eventually cast a month before filming began.

Dunst, 43, went on to play the role in all three movies alongside Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in that trilogy.

Barbra Streisand is publicly celebrating Ariana Grande, and the legendary singer’s heartfelt message has quickly caught fans’ attention. 

In a warm Instagram post shared on Tuesday, Dec. 3, Streisand praised Grande’s talent and character while posting a throwback photo of the two together.

“Ariana is a young woman with an amazing talent. She has a beautiful voice like no one else, and so much more,” Streisand, 83, wrote in the caption. 

She continued by highlighting Grande’s versatility, noting, “She can act, she can dance, she can be funny! She’s also sweet, kind and thoughtful.” Streisand ended her message on a proud note, adding, “I’m very proud of you Ariana and thanks for singing with me on my album… Big hug, Barbra.”

Streisand also gave Grande a special shoutout for her recent television appearance, writing, “P.S. you were wonderful on Saturday Night Live and looked so pretty @arianagrande!” 

The post reflected both professional admiration and genuine affection, offering fans a glimpse into the mutual respect shared between the two artists.

Grande, 32, responded in the comments with an emotional message of gratitude. 

“Barbra !!!!!!!! what !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, oh my goodness, thank you so much for this kindest surprise today! you made my day, my year, my life!” she wrote. 

She added that the praise meant even more coming from Streisand, saying, “this means so much, coming from you. i just love you so. i miss you and i hope i get to hug you soon… all my love and appreciation. thank you.”

The exchange comes during a busy time for both stars. 

Grande was recently confirmed to appear in Focker In-Law, the fourth film in the Meet the Parents franchise. 

Streisand famously joined the series in 2004 with Meet the Fockers.

Speaking on Today in June, Ben Stiller teased Grande’s role, saying she is “so great with comedy” and calling her “really, really funny and kind of the whole engine of the new movie.”

Streisand, meanwhile, released her latest album, The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume 2, in June. 

The project features several collaborations, including One Heart, One Voice,” where Grande joins Streisand and Mariah Carey. 

Together, the recent praise and shared work highlight a meaningful connection between two generations of music and film icons.