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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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Wall Street Celebrates Record Highs for Stocks as Two of the Three Major Indexes Hit New Peaks


Wall Street Celebrates Record Highs for Stocks as Two of the Three Major Indexes Hit New Peaks

Wall Street is celebrating as two of the three major indexes hit new peaks. The S&P 500 climbed 1.2% to a record high of 4,839, eclipsing its previous peak of 4,796, set more than two years ago on January 3, 2022. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.1% to end the week at 37,863. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite had to settle for a 1.9% jump to a two-year high of 15,310.

The stock market has returned to form in recent weeks, capping multiple record highs. With inflation cooling, investors are anticipating the Federal Reserve will be able to end its interest rate hiking campaign sooner rather than later, creating a more friendly environment for corporations. Rob Swanke, senior equity strategist for Commonwealth Financial Network, explained that stock market valuations have been rising in recent months as investors factor in the prospect of lower borrowing costs and improved earnings expectations. He also argued that “there’s still room to move higher,” given that valuations are below their 2022 levels.


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