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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 Home Sales Fall in July After June Uptick, Prices Slightly Up

 

In July, Greater Toronto area home sales experienced a month-to-month decline of 1.7%, following a surprising 3.2% rise in June. These figures, reported by the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB), broke a four-month streak of declining home deals. Despite this dip, average home prices edged up by 0.2% to reach C$1.13 million, the highest since December. Meanwhile, new listings decreased by 0.8%. 

The market’s anticipation of further rate cuts from the Bank of Canada has contributed to rising demand, with the central bank already reducing its key policy rate twice this year. As the cost of borrowing is expected to decline further, TRREB President Jennifer Pearce predicts accelerated sales due to lower monthly mortgage payments. On a year-over-year basis, sales were up by 3.28% in July, and new listings increased by 18.47%. Toronto, accounting for two-thirds of the country’s condominium sales, remains a bellwether for other major metropolitan areas.

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