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Global crude oil prices are holding above $105 a barrel as maritime security risks in the Strait of Hormuz escalate, forcing international shipping routes to adjust with delays and longer detours. Markets are watching whether the key oil chokepoint's instability will keep prices elevated and how higher energy costs could feed into global inflation.

Bitcoin is holding around $84,000 after recording its strongest weekly gain since January. Crypto market trackers report traders weighing whether the rally can continue, with attention on whether Bitcoin can keep the $84,000 level or give back some of last week's gains. Other major cryptocurrencies are said to be moving in step with the market leader.

Housing prices are continuing to climb even as regulatory measures aimed at curbing the real estate market remain in place. The discussion focuses on what is currently driving the market and why policy intervention has not slowed price growth, a concern for households and policymakers alike.

Realtor.com has updated its 2026 housing forecast, projecting that home price growth will cool further and fall behind the pace of inflation. The revised outlook suggests sellers may see weaker price gains while buyers could face somewhat improved affordability, though elevated mortgage rates continue to weigh on the market heading into next year.

Energy experts are warning that disruptions to shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz could send oil prices surging, potentially reigniting global inflation. The concerns centre on energy security, with the strait a critical artery for global oil shipments. Commentators are weighing how renewed tensions there could ripple through fuel costs and wider price stability worldwide.

President Trump has approved new fuel economy rules for vehicles and claimed the changes will bring car prices down. The move alters emissions and efficiency standards for automakers in the United States, and reaction is likely to focus on whether relaxed requirements will genuinely lower costs or increase fuel consumption for drivers.

A question is being raised across Europe about whether minimum wages have kept pace with rising food prices. With food inflation having surged in recent years, the debate focuses on whether statutory wage increases have preserved workers' purchasing power, and how the gap varies between countries with higher and lower minimum wage levels.

New data shows home asking prices have declined over the past year, marking a shift after a decade of generally rising price trends. A decade-long comparison reveals how much asking prices have changed since the mid-2010s, offering buyers and sellers a longer view of the housing market beyond the recent downturn.

Maryland lawmakers are considering expanding the tax authority of local governments, a proposal that would give counties and cities more room to raise revenue. Housing advocacy groups are pushing back, arguing that broader local tax powers would drive up housing costs and price prospective buyers out of the market. Supporters see it as a way to fund local services; critics warn it could worsen the state's affordability crisis.

McDonald's (MCD) shares moved higher in premarket trading even after an analyst lowered their price target on the stock. Retail investors reacted with the sardonic nickname 'McGreedy', a play on the company's name, suggesting the price rise reflects corporate self-interest rather than fundamentals. The contrast between the bullish price action and the bearish analyst call is drawing attention among market watchers.

India has told the United Nations that countries far removed from conflict zones are paying the price for wars that are not their own. The statement, reported by UN News, frames the spillover effects of distant conflicts as a global burden, reflecting India's push for greater international attention to how wars abroad strain economies and security elsewhere.

Footage shows Donald Trump reacting as Chinese military jets perform a welcome flyover arranged during his meeting with Xi Jinping. The New York Post highlighted the moment, calling the president's response 'priceless', and the clip quickly drew millions of engagements. Commenters are weighing in on the symbolism of the US president being greeted with a Chinese military honor usually reserved for state visits.