Skip to main content

Featured

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...

article

Ceasefire in Gaza: A Historic Prisoner Swap

In a significant development towards peace, Hamas militants released four female Israeli soldiers held captive since October 7, 2023. The soldiers, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag, were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City. This exchange was part of a broader ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, which also saw the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners.

The ceasefire, brokered by Egypt and Qatar with backing from the United States, aims to end the 15-month-long conflict that has devastated Gaza. The release of the soldiers was met with jubilation in Israel, with crowds gathering in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square to watch the event on large screens.

Israel's release of the Palestinian prisoners, including many serving life sentences for deadly attacks, was a crucial part of the agreement. The ceasefire has so far held, reducing hostilities and allowing humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza.

This historic exchange marks a hopeful step towards lasting peace in the region, with both sides working towards further negotiations to secure the release of remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.




Comments