Gold prices slide as US dollar gains strength and debt ceiling talks loom.

Gold and silver prices are slightly down due to a stronger US dollar index, which hit a six-week high overnight. The US debt-limit extension talks held on Tuesday were upbeat, and trader and investor risk appetite is keener. The Federal Reserve officials' opinions on continuing to tighten US monetary policy or to pause have been mixed, but traders and investors generally view their collective remarks as still leaning slightly hawkish. The Euro zone April consumer price index came in at up 7.0%, year-on-year, which was right in line with market expectations.