Latest news with #GTA


CTV News
an hour ago
- Business
- CTV News
Seventh consecutive month of record all-time lows for new home sales in GTA eclipses 1990s downturn
New home sales in the GTA hit a seventh consecutive month of record all-time lows according to a new report, eclipsing the 1990s downturn. The report from the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) said that there were 310 new home sales in April in the region, which is down 72 per cent from April 2024 and 89 per cent less than the 10-year average. 'Historically, new home sales for a typical April in the GTA would be 2,750 units based on the previous 10-year average,' it read. Condos, including units in low, medium and high-rise buildings, accounted for just 105 units sold in the GTA in April, down 80 per cent from the same time last year and 94 per cent below the 10-year average. 'April 2025 new home sales across the GTA have extended the slowest period of sales on record,' said Edward Jegg, the research manager at Altus Group, which is BILD's source for new home market data. 'Buyers crave predictability and the swirling uncertainty around the impact of possible tariffs is depriving would-be purchasers of the confidence they need to move ahead.' As for single-family home sales, the report says there were only 205 such sales in the GTA in April, down 66 per cent from last year. 'The government has reaped billions in additional tax revenue on new homes by not indexing GST price rebate thresholds since 1991 and instead has created a new mechanism that will apply to very few purchasers,' Justin Sherwood, BILD's senior vice-president of communications, research, and stakeholder relations, said in reference to proposed measures from the federal government to provide GST relief to first-time new home buyers. 'In order to have maximum impact and address the effects of GST/HST on eroding home affordability, the federal government must broaden the scope of the GST (HST) measures to all new home purchases.' The report also said that benchmark prices decreased in April for both single-family homes and condos in the GTA compared to the previous year. The benchmark price for new condos was $1,019,120, down 3.6 per cent, while the benchmark price for new single-family homes was $1,530,126, down 5.4 per cent.


CTV News
5 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Seventh consecutive month of record all-time lows for new home sales in GTA eclipses 1990s downturn
New home sales in the GTA hit a seventh consecutive month of record all-time lows according to a new report, eclipsing the 1990s downturn. The report from the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) said that there were 310 new home sales in April in the region, which is down 72 per cent from April 2024 and 89 per cent less than the 10-year average. 'Historically, new home sales for a typical April in the GTA would be 2,750 units based on the previous 10-year average,' it read. Condos, including units in low, medium and high-rise buildings, accounted for just 105 units sold in the GTA in April, down 80 per cent from the same time last year and 94 per cent below the 10-year average. 'April 2025 new home sales across the GTA have extended the slowest period of sales on record,' said Edward Jegg, the research manager at Altus Group, which is BILD's source for new home market data. 'Buyers crave predictability and the swirling uncertainty around the impact of possible tariffs is depriving would-be purchasers of the confidence they need to move ahead.' As for single-family home sales, the report says there were only 205 such sales in the GTA in April, down 66 per cent from last year. 'The government has reaped billions in additional tax revenue on new homes by not indexing GST price rebate thresholds since 1991 and instead has created a new mechanism that will apply to very few purchasers,' Justin Sherwood, BILD's senior vice-president of communications, research, and stakeholder relations, said in reference to proposed measures from the federal government to provide GST relief to first-time new home buyers. 'In order to have maximum impact and address the effects of GST/HST on eroding home affordability, the federal government must broaden the scope of the GST (HST) measures to all new home purchases.' The report also said that benchmark prices decreased in April for both single-family homes and condos in the GTA compared to the previous year. The benchmark price for new condos was $1,019,120, down 3.6 per cent, while the benchmark price for new single-family homes was $1,530,126, down 5.4 per cent.


Time of India
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Millions expected to call in sick for GTA 6 release day
Source: Rockstar Games The debut of Grand Theft Auto VI is shaping up to be one of the most eagerly awaited entertainment launches of the decade and it might come with an unexpected side effect: the 'GTA flu.' A recent study shows that nationwide search interest in the game has reached record levels, suggesting that millions of U.S. workers may take the day off, whether through approved leave or by calling in sick, once the game drops. Study issues warning of GTA 6 launch-related mass absences A recent report from fan site GTA Boom, extensively covered by TweakTown and GamingBible, suggests that GTA 6 release might lead to a tide of coincidentally scheduled sick leave. The data suggests that Florida, California, and Texas are among the states leading the chart in anticipation level, with Florida beating the national average by 31%. Matt Gibbs, head of GTA Boom, observed, Considering the trend in huge sick day spikes upon release of high-profile titles, such as Red Dead Redemption II, it would come as no surprise to hear of an outbreak of 'GTA flu' when the game comes out. He also cautioned employers in areas of high interest to prepare for an evident spike in time-off requests near the release date. Historical trends indicate the phenomenon is genuine This would not be the first time a Rockstar game inspired an unofficial holiday. When Grand Theft Auto V was released in 2013, a survey by IGN found that 46% of the 10,995 people who participated took the day off. Of those people, almost 2,100 said they were pretending to be sick in order to take the day off. GTA Boom research draws on this cultural phenomenon and uses Google search traffic and social activity to measure the levels of excitement and make predictions about behavior. The concept of "gaming sick days" has become more prevalent, particularly for one-in-a-generation games such as GTA 6 that create huge worldwide buzz. Although Rockstar Games has not yet made an official announcement regarding a release date, it's obvious that GTA 6 is already making waves. If past experience is anything to go by, and all indications are that it may be, employers can expect a dead day at the office. The virtual Vice City streets may end up being busier than the physical world when the launch date finally rolls around. Also Read: MindsEye's $60 price tag sets new expectations for GTA 6 players Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.


Time of India
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
GTA 6: Is upcoming game worth waiting for? Here's release date, map, global release time, gameplay and platforms
Rockstar Games has confirmed that GTA 6 will launch on May 26, 2026. The game returns to Vice City with a new setting, new gameplay features and expanded system needs. Fans across the world will see a synchronized release for consoles and PC. GTA 6 Map GTA VI will take place in the state of Leonida. The map includes Vice City and nearby regions. Vice City first appeared in a 2002 GTA game. This time, the city appears in a modern setting. The map is the largest in the series. Rockstar aims to offer more depth and freedom. Players will explore urban areas, roads and natural landscapes. The new setting helps support a broader gameplay style. Also Read: Survivor Season 50: Here's complete list of cast revealed by CBS and release window of upcoming season Global Release Time and Platforms GTA VI will be released at different times depending on region. In North America's East Coast, players can begin at midnight on May 26, 2026. On the West Coast, the game unlocks at 9 PM on May 25. In Europe and Asia, it will launch at midnight local time. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. All players will receive access on the same day. System Requirements for PC Players Rockstar has not released final PC specs. Early reports suggest certain minimum requirements. A player may need an Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X CPU. A NVIDIA GTX 1080 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT GPU may be required. The game could use at least 8GB RAM and 150GB of free space. Live Events Also Read: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Season 4: Release date, time, new weapons, maps, modes and maps Gameplay GTA VI includes new actions such as stealth, crawling and hiding bodies. These options give players more control over their approach. Players can expect updates to driving and combat. Leaks suggest the map is larger and more interactive. Visual improvements and better physics are also expected. FAQs What platforms will GTA VI be available on? GTA VI will be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC from May 26, 2026. What new gameplay features will GTA VI introduce? GTA VI will add stealth, crawling, and hiding bodies, along with improved graphics and a larger interactive map.


Business Wire
9 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
GTA Launches 'Air Fiber' Service, Powered by Tarana ngFWA, in Guam
TAMUNING, Guam & MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GTA, Guam's longest-serving telecom provider, and Tarana, creator of next-generation fixed wireless access (ngFWA) broadband technology, today announced a new network that is expanding high-speed internet access on the island. After just three months of deployment, GTA passed more than 30,000 homes and businesses and already has hundreds of subscribers on the service. The first of its kind, Tarana's ngFWA platform is changing the landscape of the broadband industry by combining fiber-class performance with the deployment ease of wireless technology. More than 250 operators in 24 countries are deploying ngFWA to deliver better broadband more efficiently. A seasoned internet service provider, GTA has ample experience with legacy fixed wireless and other broadband solutions — none of which could deliver the speeds, reliability, or agility of Tarana technology at scale. Now GTA is offering up to 500 Mbps to many Guam residents that previously only had access to 25 Mbps service through copper networks. 'The feedback from customers on our Air Fiber service has been great,' said Andrew Gayle, GTA's Chief Operating Officer. 'It's been the perfect solution for areas that don't have GTA Fiber yet, offering fast speeds and a reliable connection. The GTA team recently installed Tarana technology at the Guam Animals in Need (GAIN) shelter, equipping the facility with hundreds of Mbps to operate their non-profit organization. Alison Hadley, GAIN's Executive Director, shared, 'Partnering with GTA — who donates their Air Fiber service to us — has been a game-changer for GAIN. It helps us stay connected, work faster, and support more people when they need us most. We're so grateful for this kind of partnership which amplifies our impact and demonstrates the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change.' Basil Alwan, Tarana's CEO, added, 'GTA's work to close the digital divide in Guam is critical to their community and we are very proud to support their efforts. We look forward to seeing more progress on the island.' About GTA For over 70 years, GTA has been Guam's trusted provider of technology and connection. We provide solutions for every person and business with a team that truly cares. Supported by our next-generation fiber network, we provide wireless, high-speed internet, digital TV, and local and long-distance voice services that keep Guam connected to the world. GTA employees are committed to providing the highest level of service to our customers and to supporting our community. Learn more at About Tarana Tarana's mission is to accelerate the deployment of fast, affordable internet access around the world. Through a decade of R&D and over $400M of investment, the Tarana team has created a unique next generation fixed wireless access (ngFWA) technology instantiated in its first commercial platform, Gigabit 1 (G1). It delivers a game-changing advance in broadband economics in both mainstream and underserved markets, using either licensed or unlicensed spectrum. G1 started production in mid-2021 and has since been embraced by more than 250 service providers in 24 countries. Tarana is headquartered in Milpitas, California, with additional research and development in Pune, India. Learn more at