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5 Things to Know Today (Nov 13): Gold Slump, Weak Loonie, BoC Odds & Nvidia

  Canadian Money Brief • Friday, November 13, 2026 Gold is sliding, the loonie is sagging, and Monday's inflation report looms over the Bank of Canada's next move. Here are the five things Canadians should know before the weekend. 1 Gold slump drags the TSX lower The S&P/TSX Composite fell 274.53 points (-0.75%) to 36,137.19 on Thursday as materials sank 3.2% and gold dropped about 3% to roughly US$3,878 an ounce, its lowest level in more than a year. Wall Street slipped too: Dow 52,297.09, S&P 500 7,592.40, Nasdaq 25,366.09. The TSX is now about 2.5% below its August record of 37,069. Futures were flat early Friday as gold bounced 0.4%. What it means for you: Gold miners carry real weight in Canadian index funds. Check how much of your TFSA or RRSP leans on materials, and avoid reacting to a single down day. 2 Loonie slips to a one-month low as US inflation widens the rate gap The Canadian dollar closed Thursday at US$0.7015 (C$1.4255 per US$1), its weakest close si...
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Turkey Converts Former Byzantine-Era Church into Mosque: A Controversial Move

 

 On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan formally opened the former Byzantine church of St. Saviour in Chora, known as Kariye in Turkish, as a mosque. This move comes four years after the Turkish government designated it a Muslim house of prayer, despite criticism from neighboring Greece1.

Historical Context

The Church of St. Saviour in Chora has a rich history. Dating back to the fourth century, it underwent significant transformations over the centuries. The current structure took shape during the 11th and 12th centuries. It served as a mosque during Ottoman rule before being converted into a museum in 1945. Like Istanbul’s iconic Haghia Sophia, which also underwent a similar transformation, the Chora Church is listed as a U.N. World Heritage Site.

Controversy and Criticism

Greece and other countries had urged Turkey to protect these important Byzantine-era monuments. The decision to convert both Haghia Sophia and the Chora Church back into mosques drew praise from Muslim faithful but raised concerns internationally. Critics accused Ankara of “insulting the character” of these World Heritage Sites. The moves were seen as part of an effort to consolidate the conservative and religious support base of Erdogan’s ruling party amid an economic downturn.

Restoration and Formal Launch

The formal launch of the Chora Church as a mosque was delayed due to restoration work. Erdogan presided over the ceremony remotely from a conference hall at his palace complex in Ankara. The church, located near Istanbul’s ancient city walls, is renowned for its elaborate mosaics and frescoes. Despite the controversy, Erdogan expressed hope that the conversion would bring good fortune.

Turkey’s decision to convert historical sites like the Chora Church and Haghia Sophia has sparked debates about cultural heritage, religious identity, and political motivations. As the world watches, these monuments continue to be at the center of a complex and multifaceted discussion.

The Associated Press, founded in 1846, remains a trusted source of factual reporting and essential news services worldwide. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s latest move adds another layer to the ongoing dialogue about the intersection of history, religion, and national identity.


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