Latest from Al Anbat News
Al Anbat News
07-07-2025
- Business
- Al Anbat News
"Najahna" Supports 20 Startup Projects Qualified from the Entrepreneurship Hackathon.
الأنباط - As part of the partnership between Plan International, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, and Orange Jordan, an agreement was signed under the "Najahna' program for youth economic empowerment to provide financial grants to support 20 startups selected from 100 projects that qualified from the Entrepreneurship Hackathon organized by the Ministry in 2024, as part of the national entrepreneurship policy. This hackathon is one of the initiatives under the National Entrepreneurship Policy. These projects are currently being incubated at the Orange Digital Center and span various nationally prioritized sectors, including agri-tech, education, renewable energy, and tourism. The program provides support through training, mentorship, networking, and logistical services to help entrepreneurs reach a viable Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Youth startups showcased their entrepreneurial ideas and projects over two pitching days, where the projects were assessed by specialized committees composed of representatives from local institutions, private sector, and experienced entrepreneurs. The most promising projects were then selected to receive the necessary financial and technical support. Notably, 60% of the selected projects are in advanced stages, whereas 40% are still in the ideation phase. Orange Jordan emphasized on its belief that female and male entrepreneurs are the main drivers of economic growth and digital transformation. The company reaffirmed its commitment to supporting entrepreneurship through practical programs and strategic partnerships, aiming to equip entrepreneurs with the skills and resources needed to develop innovative solutions that address community needs, create sustainable job opportunities, and promote local development. The 20 selected projects will receive financial grants of up to JD 13,000, along with technical support that includes mentorship, legal and specialized advisory services tailored to each project's needs. In addition, they will benefit from ongoing support provided by the Orange Digital Center to help develop Minimal Viable Products MVP. It is worth noting that this step represents an advanced phase within the economic empowerment component of the "Najahna' program, following a specialized entrepreneurship training provided to youth. This highlights the importance of investing in youth potential to transform their ideas into scalable and sustainable projects. - End – About Orange Jordan Orange Jordan, with over 1800 employees across nearly 300 shops and locations throughout Jordan, strives to provide the best customer experience through an integrated set of digital solutions including fixed lines, mobile lines, internet, data, and Smart Life Solutions to around 4.6 million customers in Jordan. Orange Jordan is a subsidiary of Orange Global Group, which is present in 26 countries worldwide. In line with the Group's strategy "Lead the Future' and through its positioning as a true responsible digital leader, Orange Jordan supports the national digital transformation vision. Orange Jordan prioritizes community service, and in this context, it implements a comprehensive CSR strategy that revolves around 4 pillars including digital education, digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, climate, and environment. In addition to serving individual customers, Orange Jordan offers tailored solutions for businesses through its sub-brand, (Orange Business). To learn more, please visit our website: About Orange Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with revenues of 40.3 billion euros in 2024 and 127,000 employees worldwide at 31 December 2024, including 71,000 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of 291 million customers worldwide at 31 December 2024, including 253 million mobile customers and 22 million fixed broadband customers. These figures account for the deconsolidation of certain activities in Spain following the creation of MASORANGE. The Group is present in 26 countries (including non-consolidated countries). Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies under the brand Orange Business. In February 2023, the Group presented its strategic plan "Lead the Future", built on a new business model and guided by responsibility and efficiency. "Lead the Future" capitalizes on network excellence to reinforce Orange's leadership in service quality.
Al Anbat News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Anbat News
Lot-drawing ceremony is a traditional religious ritual and historical convention that must be upheld in reincarnation of Living Buddhas: signed article
الأنباط - BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The following is a signed article by Liu Huan, an assistant research fellow at the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Lot-drawing ceremony is a traditional religious ritual and historical convention that must be upheld in reincarnation of Living Buddhas For a long time, the 14th Dalai Lama has been spreading fallacies and misleading public opinion on the issue of selecting the reincarnations of late Living Buddhas. Recently, he has gone further, falsely claiming that the golden urn lot-drawing system has adopted improper means and caused serious damage to Xizang. His intention is to negate the legal status of the system, thereby repudiating the sovereign jurisdiction of the central government over Xizang, creating an illusion that Xizang was historically an "independent state," and seeking so-called legitimacy for "Tibet independence." In fact, the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony is an important innovation in the development of the Living Buddha reincarnation system in Tibetan Buddhism that dates back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The ceremony was established by law since the promulgation of the Imperially Approved Ordinance for Better Governance of Tibet (29-Article Ordinance) in 1793. Since then, it has become an essential procedure for the identification of the reincarnations of the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Erdeni and other grand Living Buddhas, gaining wide support and recognition from Tibetan Buddhists. The ceremony has played an important role in sustaining the healthy development and inheritance of Tibetan Buddhism and maintaining social stability in Xizang. I. The golden urn lot-drawing system is a result of conforming to historical trends The reincarnation of Living Buddhas is a method for religious leadership succession specific to Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded by the Karma Kagyu Sect in the 13th century and gradually adopted by other sects henceforth. Over the centuries, with the development and changes in the relation between politics and religion in Xizang, certain drawbacks in the reincarnation system were gradually exposed. In the Qing Dynasty, such problems became increasingly evident with Dharma protectors taking bribes and aristocrats colluding with temples to predetermine reincarnation candidates. Such behavior seriously disrupted the smooth successions of the grand Living Buddhas and even posed a potential threat to security in border areas. From the perspective of internal development, it became increasingly evident that members of the Tibetan aristocracy in the Qing Dynasty wantonly interfered with the selection and identification of reincarnations, in an attempt to expand their influence. When identifying reincarnations, the behavior of Chos Skyongs, or Dharma protectors who were responsible for practicing divination by drawing divining sticks or tossing coins, were left unchecked. Bribed by ecclesiastical and secular forces, they arbitrarily specified reincarnations -- therefore most of the selected boys came from aristocratic families, seriously undermining the sanctity and fairness of the reincarnation system. For instance, when searching for the Eighth Dalai Lama's reincarnation, although the Qing Dynasty government sent the third Zhangjia Living Buddha to Xizang to preside over related matters, the finally selected boy was related to the sixth Panchen; the younger brother and nephew of the third Zhangjia Living Buddha were respectively identified as the Nagya and Rakho Living Buddhas; the elder and younger brothers of the sixth Panchen became the Dhunpa Hutuktu of Tashilhumpo Monastery and the 10th Living Buddha of the red hat system of Karma Kagyu Sect respectively; one niece of the sixth Panchen was the Samding Dorje Phagmo Living Buddha. All these examples demonstrate manipulation by family forces on reincarnations. In response, Emperor Qianlong lamented in his article on Lamas that the reincarnations of grand Lamas seemed to have come from one family, which is almost the same as a hereditary title. From the perspective of the external political environment, the two invasions of Xizang by the Gorkha Tribe (located in central Nepal today) in the 18th century made the Qing Dynasty government realize that the lack of supervision over the selection of reincarnations of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism posed a threat to border stability. In 1779, the sixth Panchen traveled to Chengde to celebrate Emperor Qianlong's 70th birthday, and received large amounts of tributes from Mongolian and Tibetan noblemen as well as generous rewards granted by the emperor along the way and during his stay in Beijing. Unfortunately, after the sixth Panchen passed away in Beijing, all these properties were controlled by one of his brothers -- Dhunpa Hutuktu. However, another brother of his -- the 10th Living Buddha of the red hat system of Karma Kagyu Sect -- felt resentful and colluded with forces in Gorkha to invade Xizang and ransack the Tashilhunpo Monastery. The Qing Dynasty government sent troops to Xizang, with Fuk'anggan as the general. With the support of Tibetan monks and nuns, the Qing Dynasty troops forced the Gorkha troops to surrender and return the properties. The Gorkha invasion made the Qing Dynasty government realize that the combination of Living Buddha reincarnation and prominent families not only disrupted the succession order, but also posed deeper security risks. Failure to address this problem would lead to more serious border and territorial security issues. Faced with this grim situation, the Qing Dynasty government recognized the importance of strengthening the management of the reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism. In the face of various drawbacks, the Qing Dynasty government followed the trend of historical development and formulated the golden urn lot-drawing system. After the end of the Gorkha War, the Qing government issued the Imperially Approved Ordinance for Better Governance of Tibet (29-Article Ordinance) (hereinafter referred to as the "Ordinance") in 1793, the first of which stipulated the establishment of the lot-drawing system. This system has henceforth been written into the Qing Dynasty's regulation for the department of foreign-related affairs and established at the legal level. According to the regulation, when searching for the reincarnations of grand Living Buddhas, the names and birthdates of the candidates need to be written on signboards in Manchu, Han and Tibetan languages, and placed in a specially made golden urn. The Qing Dynasty government's high commissioner in Xizang and the grand Living Buddhas would officially draw the lot to identify the signs in front of the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha in Jokhang Temple, and report to the central government for approval after selection. There are two golden urns, one placed in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa for identifying the reincarnations of the grand Living Buddhas in Xizang; the other is placed in the Yonghegong Lama Temple in Beijing and used to identify the reincarnations of the grand Living Buddhas in various parts of Mongolia and the Tibetan-inhabited areas of Gansu and Qinghai provinces. Therefore, the golden urn lot-drawing system ensures that the reincarnations and successions of the grand Living Buddhas of Tibetan Buddhism are carried out under standardized and orderly conditions, effectively avoiding jobbery and collusion between ecclesiastical and secular forces. It has had a profound and far-reaching impact on maintaining the purity and dignity of the Living Buddha reincarnation system and stabilizing the social order in Mongolian and Tibetan-inhabited areas. It is the result of conforming to the trend of historical development. II. The golden urn lot-drawing system is widely supported and recognized by the Tibetan Buddhism community The establishment of the golden urn lot-drawing system has hitherto been sincerely supported and actively practiced by the upper echelons of the Gelug Sect, including the Eighth Dalai Lama. After the issuance of the "Ordinance," the Eighth Dalai Lama explicitly expressed his support for it and translated the text into Tibetan for publication across Xizang. In the subsequently issued proclamation for the Year of Water Buffalo, the Eighth Dalai Lama praised the golden urn lot-drawing system as the supreme grace of the central government to the monks and laymen of Xizang and the Gelug Sect, emphasizing the significance of this system for promoting Gelug and loving the people. At the same time, it was also clearly stated that after the implementation of the lot-drawing system, anyone who violates the regulations and selects the reincarnations willfully according to old customs will be severely punished. This proclamation not only demonstrated the respect of the Eighth Dalai Lama and the upper echelons of the Gelug Sect for the authority of the central government, but also showed their firm stance on maintaining the seriousness and purity of religious rituals, setting an example for various sects of Tibetan Buddhism to follow the system. Except for the Eighth Dalai Lama, many of the Gelug Sect Living Buddhas have demonstrated their recognition of the golden urn lot-drawing system through their actions. For instance, when the Qing court formulated the golden urn lot-drawing system, it took into account the distance between Lhasa and regions such as Chamdo, and permitted the recognition of reincarnations in those areas to proceed according to old practices. Nevertheless, the monasteries in Chamdo willingly undertook the arduous journey to Lhasa to conduct the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony. Under the leadership of the Living Buddha Pagbalha of Chamdo's Galden Jampaling Monastery, reincarnations of major Living Buddhas from places such as Riwoqê and Chagyab traveled to Lhasa for the golden urn lot-drawing, fully reflecting the Tibetan Buddhist community's acceptance of the ceremony. This voluntary practice clearly shows that from the moment the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony was introduced, it received widespread recognition within Tibetan Buddhist communities. The fairness, sanctity, and authority of the central government embodied in the system were highly acknowledged. After over 200 years of development, the system has become deeply rooted among both the religious and secular communities in Xizang. In addition, at the request of the Dalai Lama and the Gaxag government, several important golden urn lot-drawing ceremonies during the Qing Dynasty -- for selecting the reincarnations of the Dalai Lama and Panchen Erdeni -- were held in front of the memorial tablet of Emperor Kangxi and the portrait of Emperor Qianlong in the Potala Palace. This demonstrates the high regard and reverence the government of Xizang held for the central government and the golden urn lot-drawing system. Such support was not accidental, but rather the result of multiple factors. On the religious level, the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony inherited and standardized the traditional Tibetan Buddhist method of "divine judgment," aligning with the doctrine of "the Buddha's decision through dharma," thereby ensuring the sanctity of the recognition process for reincarnations, meeting the religious inheritance needs of the various Tibetan Buddhist sects. On the political level, understanding the importance of the central government's authority in helping maintain its influence in Xizang, the upper echelons of the Gelug Sect selected reincarnations by drawing lots from the golden urn and submitted the results for the central government's approval, conferring upon the reincarnations the legitimacy granted by the central government. On the social level, the system effectively curbed the social tensions and religious disorder caused by aristocratic manipulation and fraud in the old reincarnation practices, which strongly preserved social order in Xizang and are in line with the fundamental interests of all Tibetan Buddhist sects and the broader public. III. The golden urn lot-drawing ceremony is the only path for recognizing the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama Since the establishment of the golden urn lot-drawing system, the reincarnations of the Dalai Lama from the Ninth to the 14th, as well as many grand Living Buddhas from other sects of Tibetan Buddhism, have been confirmed either through the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony or, in some cases, exemption from the ceremony with approval from the central government. After the reincarnation of the Eighth Dalai Lama was identified, the Gaxag government of Xizang -- led by the regent Jedrung Hutuktu -- submitted a petition in the name of all the monks and laymen of Xizang, requesting exemption from the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony. The Qing Dynasty government granted this request as an exception. However, after the Ninth Dalai Lama passed away, the Gaxag government, with the regent Demo Hutuktu and others, again requested an exemption from the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony for the reincarnation, which the Qing Dynasty government did not permit. Emperor Jiaqing sternly rebuked the request, stating that the exemption granted for the reincarnation of the Eighth Dalai Lama was a special case, and firmly reaffirmed the principle that the recognition of a Dalai Lama's reincarnation must follow the golden urn lot-drawing procedure. Ultimately, on the 15th day of the first Lunar month in the second year of the Emperor Daoguang's reign (1822), the first-ever golden urn lot-drawing ceremony for the Dalai Lama's reincarnation was held, with Khenpo Kelzang Gyatso chosen as the reincarnation of the Ninth Dalai Lama. With the approval of the Qing government, he was formally enthroned at the Potala Palace as the 10th Dalai Lama. Thereafter, both the 11th and 12th Dalai Lamas were selected through the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony and formally enthroned with the approval of the central government. In the first year of the Emperor Guangxu's reign (1875), the 12th Dalai Lama passed away. The following year, the local government of Xizang submitted a formal petition to the Imperial Commissioner in Xizang, bearing the seals and signatures of the Kalöns, major Hutuktus, and Khenpos of the three great monasteries, respectfully requesting an exemption from the lot-drawing procedure. After the Imperial Commissioner reported the matter to the central government of Qing Dynasty, the exemption was approved, and the candidate was officially recognized as the 13th Dalai Lama. In 1933, following the passing of the 13th Dalai Lama, the Nationalist Government, then the central authorities of China, sent representative Huang Musong to Xizang to offer official condolences. In 1936, it issued a set of measures on the reincarnation of Living Buddhas. The regulations inherited Qing Dynasty's approach to governing Xizang by managing the reincarnation of Living Buddhas through legal means, clearly defining the scope of reincarnation, the reporting procedures for reincarnations, and the recognition process for different levels of Living Buddhas. The regulations reaffirmed key principles such as confirming reincarnations through drawing lots from the golden urn and having central government representatives to preside over the enthronement of grand Living Buddhas. In 1938, the regent Reting Rinpoche of Xizang submitted a petition to the central government requesting that the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama be exempted from the golden urn lot-drawing. After negotiations with the local authorities of Xizang, the Nationalist Government proposed conditions for the exemption: first, Wu Zhongxin, chief of the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission of the Nationalist Government, must personally travel to Xizang to verify whether the boy truly exhibited spiritual signs; second, Reting Rinpoche must formally submit a written request to the central government to officially seek exemption from the golden urn lot-drawing procedure. On February 5, 1940, the Nationalist Government issued an order approving Lhamo Thondup as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, exempting him from the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony, and specially authorizing him to succeed as the 14th Dalai Lama. On February 22, Wu Zhongxin and Reting Rinpoche jointly presided over the enthronement ceremony of the 14th Dalai Lama. These historical facts demonstrate that the legitimacy of the 14th Dalai Lama also derived from the approval of the central government. Not only is this true for the lineage of the Dalai Lamas, but also for the lineages of other grand Living Buddhas, such as the Gelug sect's Panchen Erdeni, the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, the Jamyang Hutuktu, as well as those of the Karma Kagyu Sect's Black Hat Living Buddhas and the Nyingma Sect's Dojezhak Living Buddha -- all of whom had their reincarnations selected through the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony. History fully demonstrates that the central government, in accordance with the law, holds the final approval authority over the recognition of reincarnations. The selection of a reincarnated Dalai Lama through drawing lots from the golden urn and subsequent approval by the central government is the only path for confirming the Dalai Lama's reincarnation. A review of history clearly shows that the system of the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony was an important measure adopted by the Qing Dynasty central government to eliminate malpractice in the recognition process of reincarnations in Tibetan Buddhism and improve the reincarnation system of Living Buddhas. This measure not only reflected the central government's respect for Tibetan Buddhism and its followers, but also demonstrated its authority in matters concerning the reincarnation of grand Living Buddhas such as the Dalai Lama. It remains a fundamental principle that must be upheld in the reincarnation of grand Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism
Al Anbat News
01-07-2025
- Business
- Al Anbat News
Orange Jordan Sponsors ICIT 2025 to Advance Digital Innovation
Publish date : Tuesday - pm 05:10 | 2025-07-01 Alanbatnews - Orange Jordan Orange Jordan renewed its commitment to leading the digital future by participating as the telecom sponsor of the 12th International Conference on Information Technology (ICIT 2025), organized by Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan in collaboration with British Telecommunications (BT), the BT Innovation and Incubation Center (BTIIC), Ulster University, with technical sponsorship from the Global Community for Technology Professionals "IEEE'. Bringing global minds under one roof, the conference served as a dynamic platform for leading researchers to exchange insights and explore the latest advancements and challenges across cybersecurity, AI and data science, emerging technologies, software engineering, mathematical modeling, and computer engineering. Orange Jordan participated in a panel discussion titled "Quantum AI: Redefining Intelligence in the Industrial Age,' which explored future developments in the field and discussed their anticipated impact on various vital sectors. Orange Jordan emphasized that investing in the digital empowerment of youth is a central pillar of its strategy to build a sustainable digital economy. The company reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national efforts aimed at positioning Jordan as a regional hub for technological innovation by equipping youth people with advanced digital skills that enable them to compete globally and lead digital transformation in the region. Orange Jordan's vision extends beyond traditional telecom services, aiming to contribute to building an inclusive digital future where all segments of society can benefit from the opportunities presented by modern technology. It's worth noting that the Orange Digital Center offers a variety of initiatives designed to enhance youth capabilities in technology and entrepreneurship through specialized training programs, fully equipped innovation spaces, and support for startups. The company also continues to provide scholarships to outstanding students and organize innovation competitions to inspire creativity and enable Jordanian youth to sharpen their digital skills, the latest of which was the "Ramadan Hackathon,' offering a stimulating platform for youth people to explore their potential and compete in a dynamic digital environment. To learn more, please visit our website: - End – About Orange Jordan Orange Jordan, with over 1800 employees across nearly 300 shops and locations throughout Jordan, strives to provide the best customer experience through an integrated set of digital solutions including fixed lines, mobile lines, internet, data, and Smart Life Solutions to around 4.6 million customers in Jordan. Orange Jordan is a subsidiary of Orange Global Group, which is present in 26 countries worldwide. In line with the Group's strategy "Lead the Future' and through its positioning as a true responsible digital leader, Orange Jordan supports the national digital transformation vision. Orange Jordan prioritizes community service, and in this context, it implements a comprehensive CSR strategy that revolves around 4 pillars including digital education, digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, climate, and environment. In addition to serving individual customers, Orange Jordan offers tailored solutions for businesses through its sub-brand, (Orange Business). To learn more, please visit our website: About Orange Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with revenues of 40.3 billion euros in 2024 and 127,000 employees worldwide at 31 December 2024, including 71,000 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of 291 million customers worldwide at 31 December 2024, including 253 million mobile customers and 22 million fixed broadband customers. These figures account for the deconsolidation of certain activities in Spain following the creation of MASORANGE. The Group is present in 26 countries (including non-consolidated countries). Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies under the brand Orange Business. In February 2023, the Group presented its strategic plan "Lead the Future", built on a new business model and guided by responsibility and efficiency. "Lead the Future" capitalizes on network excellence to reinforce Orange's leadership in service quality.
Al Anbat News
27-06-2025
- Health
- Al Anbat News
The War on Gaza: Far-Reaching and Long-Term Consequences
الأنباط - The War on Gaza: Far-Reaching and Long-Term Consequences The ongoing war in the Gaza Strip represents one of the gravest contemporary crises, combining humanitarian catastrophe with escalating environmental destruction. This war is not limited to the heavy toll of lives lost and injured but extends its impact to the natural environment, mental health, education, and food and water security. The interlinkage of these environmental and human dimensions makes this conflict an existential challenge threatening the continuity of dignified life in the besieged territory. This article sheds light on the major environmental, psychological, and educational damages, as well as the lasting health repercussions of the ongoing blockade. An Environment Under Fire: Invisible Yet Deadly Damage Relentless air and artillery strikes targeting thousands of residential and vital facilities have released enormous amounts of smoke and pollutants from burning industrial materials such as plastics, metals, paints, and insulation. These fine particles suspended in the air settle deep in the lungs, leading to increased rates of chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, particularly in densely populated areas where avoiding exposure is nearly impossible. The environmental degradation has not been confined to air pollution alone; it has also reached Gaza's underground water resources, the main source of drinking water for its residents. Sewage networks, treatment plants, and fuel storage facilities have been severely damaged, resulting in the leakage of untreated wastewater and toxic substances into deep aquifers. This contamination threatens the spread of serious diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis, making access to clean and safe water even more challenging. Agricultural lands have also suffered extensive destruction. Direct bombardment, coupled with chemical leakage from munitions and military vehicles, has damaged soil fertility, increased its salinity, and contaminated it with heavy metals. This deterioration undermines the future of local agriculture and exacerbates food insecurity in Gaza, where many families depend on farming for sustenance and income. Psychological Impact: Invisible Wounds That Never Heal The psychological scars of war are deeply etched into the consciousness of Gaza's residents, especially children who live daily under the shadow of bombardment, fear, and deprivation. Scenes of loss and destruction have been repeatedly imprinted in their memories, giving rise to clear symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including chronic anxiety, insomnia, recurring nightmares, and a persistent sense of insecurity. These accumulated traumas extend far beyond the immediate moment of conflict, shaping children's personalities and behavior for years to come. Growing up in an environment dominated by violence and psychological instability increases the likelihood of adopting aggressive or withdrawn behaviors, while undermining their capacity for learning and social interaction. Such psychological breakdowns risk fostering greater societal violence and a deterioration in public mental health in Gaza's future. Education in the Crossfire: Children's Futures at Stake As the aggression continues, hundreds of thousands of children in Gaza have been denied their fundamental right to education, whether due to the destruction of schools, their conversion into shelters for displaced families, or the dangerous security situation preventing safe access to classrooms. This forced disruption threatens to rob an entire generation of their opportunity to learn, leading to rising illiteracy rates, diminished cognitive and social skills, and reduced chances of future employment. In turn, this deepens cycles of poverty and increases reliance on humanitarian aid. The Blockade: Strangling Daily Life and Public Health The blockade imposed on Gaza for years, now compounded by intensified military escalation, has deprived residents of sufficient food, fuel, medicines, and essential supplies. These harsh conditions have led to widespread malnutrition, particularly among children and pregnant women, resulting in stunting, underweight, and weakened immune systems that heighten vulnerability to infectious diseases. Water scarcity and contamination have become a dual crisis. The deterioration of water infrastructure has forced many families to rely on saline or polluted water sources, leading to the spread of gastrointestinal diseases such as diarrhea and dysentery, as well as kidney diseases due to high salt content. The collapse of health services has increased rates of chronic illnesses and raised the threat of epidemics. Children, with their inherent physical and emotional sensitivity, bear the brunt of these circumstances. Malnutrition, environmental pollution, and lack of healthcare services slow their physical and mental growth, impacting their quality of life far into the future. A Final Word: A Catastrophe Demanding Urgent Global Action What is unfolding in Gaza is not merely a temporary crisis, but a multifaceted catastrophe that threatens the foundations of life in the long term. Environmental pollution, agricultural collapse, psychological trauma, educational deprivation, and the worsening hunger and thirst crisis are interlinked factors that warn of a bleak future for generations to come. Overcoming this disaster requires immediate, serious international action, including lifting the blockade, funding reconstruction efforts, rehabilitating infrastructure, and expanding mental health and education programs. Only through these measures can the Palestinian people reclaim their dignity and secure their right to live safely in a stable environment that enables them to build a future free from the ravages of war and destruction. By Haifaa Ghaith
Al Anbat News
20-06-2025
- Business
- Al Anbat News
Gold Prices Soar to Unprecedented Heights Amid Global Instability
الأنباط - "Gold Prices Soar to Unprecedented Heights Amid Global Instability" Recently, gold has experienced significant fluctuations in its prices due to ongoing economic and political changes both regionally and globally. Gold prices have been heavily influenced by global inflation, monetary policies implemented by central banks, as well as political tensions and wars, which have led to an increase in demand for gold as a safe haven. Additionally, investment funds and central banks have played a prominent role in driving prices higher. Saleem Dheeb, Secretary-General of the Jewelers' Syndicate, spoke to Al-Anbat, stating: "As inflation rises, the value of gold increases as a safe haven against the erosion of the purchasing power of currencies. Consequently, gold has become a crucial refuge for investors who are looking to preserve their wealth amid the ongoing rise in prices." He pointed out that global deficits and high debt, along with interest rates on the U.S. dollar, have contributed to the surge in gold prices, explaining that whenever interest rates are reduced, gold prices directly increase. This is due to a decrease in returns on U.S. dollar investments, prompting investors to turn to gold as a safer alternative. Dheeb continued: "Since gold is priced in dollars, any decline in the dollar's purchasing power leads to a rise in gold prices against the dollar. This depreciation of the dollar contributes to the increased demand for gold, thereby pushing its prices higher." He noted that one of the key factors contributing to the rise in gold prices has been the continuous effort of investment funds and central banks to increase their gold reserves, creating pressure on supply and further driving up prices. Dheeb further explained that the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary policy has been caught between two difficult choices: either raise interest rates to curb inflation, which could lead to increased unemployment and a decrease in durable goods sales, or lower interest rates, which would lead to a rise in gold prices. He also emphasized that economic decisions made by the U.S. administration under President Trump significantly contributed to the rise in gold prices, particularly with changes in policies such as raising tariffs, followed by President Trump's visit to the Middle East, which brought some stability to gold prices. However, with the ongoing Gaza conflict, the Russia-Ukraine war, and Israel's entry into a war with Iran, gold prices have once again experienced extreme volatility. On the other hand, Dheeb highlighted the impact of global prices on the local market in Jordan, where pricing starts from the global price and is then adjusted based on local supply and demand. He added that demand for gold in Jordan has shifted this year, with investment purchases surpassing those for jewelry. The market has seen an increase in demand for gold ounces and liras, particularly after the price of an ounce rose by more than 30% in one year. He mentioned that the Jewelers' Syndicate has kept up with price fluctuations by issuing daily bulletins on changes in global prices. The Syndicate also allowed the production of 14-karat gold in an effort to offer an option more suited to the financial capabilities of citizens, while closely monitoring local markets in collaboration with the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization. Mohammad Al-Hroub, a trader, stated that the rise in global gold prices has become extreme, especially given the ongoing wars between Russia and Ukraine, the Gaza conflict in the Middle East, and the recent war between Iran and Israel, along with the continuous political tensions in the region. He also pointed out that China has been buying large quantities of gold as a safe haven, adding economic weight. He observed the confusion and anxiety evident in the actions of local citizens, as the vast majority are now buying gold as a store of wealth rather than for decoration. This shift has led to an increase in demand for both the Rasheed and English gold liras, as well as ounces. Many people have also opted to sell their existing gold and jewelry in order to make substantial profits compared to gold prices from previous years. Al-Hroub noted that local traders and gold markets have adapted by offering lower-karat gold jewelry, such as 14-karat gold, and smaller weights, making it more affordable for citizens, especially those preparing for marriage. He emphasized that many young couples are now unable to afford the traditional wedding jewelry, known as "the bride's dowry," which is a crucial part of Jordanian marriage customs. In conclusion, gold prices remain susceptible to ongoing fluctuations due to global political and economic events. Despite the challenges facing gold markets, this precious metal will continue to be one of the safest havens sought by individuals and institutions during times of crisis. It is expected that gold price volatility will continue based on changes in monetary policy and global geopolitical factors, making it crucial for investors, traders, and citizens to closely monitor these developments.
