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Iran Warns of Regional Oil Blockade Amid Escalating Conflict

  The war has shut the Strait of Hormuz, leaving tankers unable to sail for more than a week and forcing producers to halt pumping as storage facilities fill. Iran has issued a stark warning that it will block all oil exports from the Middle East if U.S. and Israeli attacks continue, marking a sharp escalation in an already volatile regional conflict. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared it would not allow “one litre of oil” to leave the region under ongoing military pressure, a move that could severely disrupt global energy markets.  The threat comes as the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints—faces shutdown conditions, leaving tankers stranded and producers halting output as storage fills. Global oil prices initially surged past $100 per barrel before retreating amid mixed signals from U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned Iran of massive retaliation while predicting a swift end to the conflict.  The heightened tensions...

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Consumer and Business Insolvencies Continue to Rise in November

 

According to the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy, consumer and business insolvencies continued to rise in November. Consumer insolvencies were up 24% in November compared with a year ago, while business insolvencies rose 36.8%. The data shows insolvencies for both consumers and businesses continued to rise from pandemic lows.

Business insolvencies rose 41.8% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. However, consumer insolvencies in the third quarter were still below pre-pandemic levels. In November, that trend continued — business insolvencies were higher than in November 2019, while consumer insolvencies were a little lower.

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