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Oil Prices Are Spiking — Here's What It Means for Your Gas Tank and Grocery Bill

  Published July 17, 2026 Crude oil is trading near one-month highs this week, and if you've filled up your tank recently, you've probably already felt it. The culprit: an escalating conflict in the Middle East that's disrupting one of the world's most important oil shipping routes — and it's starting to show up at Canadian pumps and, eventually, on grocery store shelves. What's happening with oil prices West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the North American benchmark, has been trading around the $79–$80 per barrel range this week — up roughly 5% over the past month. Brent crude, the global benchmark that matters more for what Canadians pay at the pump, has been hovering near $85 per barrel, also near a one-month high. The spike traces back to renewed fighting between the U.S. and Iran. The U.S. reimposed a naval blockade on Iran and has intensified strikes, while Iran has responded with attacks on U.S. bases and threats to disrupt regional energy shipments further. ...

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France and Belgium Support ICC Request for Arrest Warrants of Israel and Hamas Leaders

 

In a significant development, France and Belgium have publicly backed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) request for arrest warrants for leaders of Israel and Hamas. The ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders—Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh—of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and Israel.

While Netanyahu and Gallant are not currently facing imminent arrest, this announcement serves as a symbolic blow that deepens Israel’s isolation over the war in Gaza. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 35,000 Palestinians losing their lives, and around 80% of the population—2.3 million Palestinians—being displaced within the territory.

The ICC’s decision to seek arrest warrants has drawn strong reactions. Netanyahu condemned it as “a moral outrage of historic proportions” while the court’s panel of three judges will now decide whether to issue the warrants and proceed with a case.

This development underscores the gravity of the situation and highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. As the world watches, the ICC’s pursuit of justice remains a critical step in addressing alleged war crimes committed during the conflict.

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