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Rising Tensions Leave Ships Stranded in Key Oil Passage

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz ⁠was closed for a fourth day on Tuesday, choking off a key artery accounting for about 20% of global oil and gas supply. Greece’s Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, has raised urgent concerns over an increasingly alarming situation in the Strait of Hormuz, where dozens of vessels remain stranded amid escalating conflict involving Iran. He emphasized the need to safeguard global shipping and protect seafarers as the strategic waterway—responsible for roughly 20% of global oil and gas flows—remains closed for a fourth consecutive day.  The closure has disrupted international trade routes and heightened anxiety across the maritime sector. Greek authorities have urged shipowners to exercise maximum caution and avoid high‑risk zones in the wider Persian Gulf region as tensions continue to rise. The prolonged shutdown underscores the vulnerability of global supply chains to geopolitical instability and highlights th...

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Toronto’s Housing Market Plummets to a 13-Year Low Amidst Higher Mortgage Rates

 


Toronto’s housing market experienced a significant decline in 2023, with home sales dropping to a 13-year low. According to a report by the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board, the number of home sales in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) fell by 11% compared to the previous year . This decline can be attributed to the rise in mortgage rates, which made it difficult for potential buyers to afford homes.

The average home sold price in the GTA for November 2023 was $1,051,180, which is a 7% drop compared to the previous month . The report also states that the GTA housing market has been in a deep buyer’s market for the past few months, with the sales-to-new-listings ratio (SNLR) being 40% in November 2023. This means that there are comparatively more properties available for purchase than buyers in the market, giving buyers more leverage in negotiating prices and terms. However, the GTA is now once again in a balanced market, with buyers losing favour as sellers regain some control in the market .


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