Skip to main content

Featured

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. ...

article

Israel Detains Director of Northern Gaza's Last Operating Hospital Amid Ongoing Conflict

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, Israeli forces detained Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the last functioning medical facilities in northern Gaza. The arrest comes amid a series of overnight strikes that killed nine people, including children.

According to Gaza's Health Ministry, Israeli troops stormed the hospital on Friday, forcing staff and patients to evacuate in harsh winter conditions. Reports indicate that Dr. Abu Safiya and dozens of other hospital staff were taken to an interrogation center. The Israeli army has not responded to questions regarding the detention.

The hospital, which has been repeatedly targeted over the past three months, has seen its infrastructure severely damaged. The Health Ministry reported that a recent strike killed five medical personnel, further crippling the already strained healthcare system in Gaza.

The World Health Organization has condemned the raid, stating that it has put the last major health facility in northern Gaza out of service. The organization has called for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of healthcare facilities and personnel.

The conflict continues to escalate, with both sides suffering significant casualties. The international community has expressed growing concern over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.



Comments