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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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Egypt Proposes Ceasefire Amid Escalating Gaza Conflict

Egypt has stepped forward with a new truce proposal aimed at restoring peace in Gaza, following a surge in violence that has claimed the lives of at least 65 Palestinians in the past 24 hours. The escalation began after Israel resumed air and ground operations against Hamas, effectively ending a two-month period of relative calm.

The Egyptian plan reportedly includes a phased approach, with Hamas releasing five Israeli hostages each week. In return, Israel would implement the second phase of the ceasefire after the first week. The proposal also outlines a timeline for Israel's full withdrawal from Gaza, backed by U.S. guarantees.

While both Hamas and the U.S. have expressed tentative agreement to the proposal, Israel has yet to respond. The situation remains dire, with nearly 700 Palestinians reported killed since the resumption of hostilities, including many women and children. Humanitarian agencies have raised alarms over the worsening conditions in Gaza, where thousands are displaced and essential supplies are running critically low.

This latest effort by Egypt underscores the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing conflict, as the region faces a mounting humanitarian crisis.

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