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U.S. Seizure of Russian-Flagged Tanker Heightens Global Tensions

The ship, currently between Iceland and the British Isles, has been accused of breaking US sanctions and shipping Iranian oil. It has historically transported Venezuelan crude oil. The United States has seized a Russian‑flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela after a prolonged pursuit across the Atlantic, marking one of the most assertive enforcement actions under Washington’s sanctions program. The vessel, previously known as Bella‑1 and later renamed Marinera , was intercepted after evading an earlier boarding attempt near Venezuelan waters. U.S. military aircraft and naval units tracked the ship for weeks as it traveled across the Atlantic, at times shadowed by Russian naval vessels. Officials say the tanker was part of a network used to transport sanctioned Venezuelan and Russian oil. Its capture underscores Washington’s efforts to disrupt what it describes as illicit energy shipments that help sustain both governments. The operation comes at a delicate geopolitical moment, wit...

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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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