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

Israeli Prime Minister's Office Refutes Claims of Hamas Agreement on Gaza Ceasefire

 

In a recent development, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied reports that Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire proposal mediated by Qatar. Contrary to earlier claims by an Israeli official, the Prime Minister's office stated that Hamas has not yet responded to the deal.

The proposal, which aims to halt the ongoing conflict in Gaza, was reportedly set to be formally announced on Thursday, with the first phase of the agreement commencing on Sunday. However, the Prime Minister's office clarified that no official communication has been received from Hamas regarding their acceptance of the terms.

This denial comes amidst ongoing negotiations and efforts by international mediators to broker a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The situation remains fluid, with both sides yet to reach a final agreement.


Comments