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U.N. Leader Deems Situation in Gaza an ‘Ethical Atrocity’
The U.N. Secretary-General, António Guterres, made a powerful statement on Saturday as he visited a border crossing in Egypt, calling the conditions in Gaza a “moral outrage” and demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire. He expressed solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, acknowledging the global outrage over the suffering and deprivation they are enduring.
The visit to the Rafah border crossing highlighted the desperate situation faced by the people of Gaza, where widespread hunger and deprivation persist despite international relief efforts. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with aid organizations struggling to deliver essential supplies due to logistical challenges and security concerns.
The U.N. officials have cited various obstacles hindering aid delivery, including Israeli security inspections, attacks on convoys, and damaged infrastructure. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification recently warned of imminent famine in northern Gaza, underscoring the urgent need for Israel to ease restrictions on humanitarian access.
In response to Mr. Guterres’ remarks, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Israel Katz, criticized the focus on Israel’s role in the crisis without addressing the actions of Hamas and the United Nations. The failure of a U.N. Security Council resolution seeking a cease-fire further underscores the complexities of the situation, with different countries expressing divergent views on the path to peace.
Efforts to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas have continued, with talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt. The proposed agreement includes the release of hostages held by Palestinian armed groups, signaling a potential breakthrough in the negotiations.
As the conflict persists, concerns have been raised about a potential Israeli ground operation in Rafah, which could have devastating consequences for civilians. The international community, including the U.S., has urged restraint to prevent further escalation and loss of life.
Mr. Guterres and other U.N. officials have emphasized the need for immediate action to address the crisis in Gaza and prevent further suffering. The situation in Gaza is dire, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict and facing grave humanitarian challenges.
It is imperative for all parties involved to prioritize the well-being of the Palestinians in Gaza and work towards a sustainable solution that ensures their safety and security. The international community must continue to support efforts for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and alleviate the suffering of the people in Gaza.
News
Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?
The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.
This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.
In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?
Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.
Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?
With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:
Prices may rise again
If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.
But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.
Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.
You may be able to make a quick profit
Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.
Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.
There are other benefits of investing in gold
There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:
- Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
- Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.
The bottom line
Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.
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