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Gas Prices Are Spiking Again — Here's How to Protect Your Wallet as the Iran Conflict Escalates

  Published July 20, 2026 If it feels like you're filling up more often for the same money lately, you're not imagining it. Oil markets jolted higher to start the week, and Canadian drivers are almost certain to see it at the pump in the next few days. What just happened Brent crude — the global benchmark that drives Canadian gas pricing — jumped nearly 4% on Monday to trade above US$90 a barrel, its highest level since mid-June, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate traded near US$84. The move came after the United States and Iran escalated hostilities over the weekend, including strikes on vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz and an attack on an oil facility in Kuwait. That strait matters enormously to your gas bill: roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply normally passes through it. When shipping through it slows or stalls, traders price in a "risk premium" almost immediately — and that shows up at Canadian pumps within days, not weeks. What it mea...

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Cyprus: 50 Years of Division and Reflection

 

On July 20, 2024, Cyprus marked the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion, a pivotal event that has left the island divided ever since. The day was observed with a mix of solemn commemorations and celebratory events, reflecting the deep-seated divisions between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

At dawn, air raid sirens wailed across Nicosia and other cities, a stark reminder of the invasion that began on this day in 1974. Greek Cypriots mourned the loss and displacement caused by the invasion, with memorial services and moments of silence held to honor the fallen. President Nikos Christodoulides emphasized the importance of reflection and the pursuit of peace, urging for renewed dialogue to resolve the ongoing division.

In contrast, Turkish Cypriots in the north celebrated what they view as a liberation from Greek Cypriot control. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attended a military parade in northern Nicosia, marking the event as a "peace and freedom operation". The celebrations included a display of military strength, symbolizing the enduring presence and support of Turkey in the region.

Despite recent improvements in relations between Greece and Turkey, the Cyprus issue remains a sensitive and unresolved matter. The island’s division continues to evoke strong emotions and differing narratives on both sides. Efforts for reunification have repeatedly stalled, with the last significant attempt collapsing seven years ago.

As Cyprus reflects on this significant milestone, the hope for a peaceful resolution remains, albeit tempered by the complexities of the past and present.



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