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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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Hot Tea, High Stakes: California Man Wins $50 Million Lawsuit Against Starbucks

A California delivery driver, Michael Garcia, has been awarded $50 million in a lawsuit against Starbucks after suffering severe burns from a spilled tea. The incident occurred in February 2020 at a drive-through, where a venti-sized tea fell onto Garcia's lap, causing permanent and life-altering injuries.

Garcia's legal team argued that the scalding-hot tea was not securely placed in a takeout tray by a Starbucks employee, leading to the accident. The Los Angeles County jury sided with Garcia, holding Starbucks accountable for negligence. Garcia underwent multiple medical procedures, including skin grafts, due to the burns.

Starbucks has expressed sympathy for Garcia but plans to appeal the decision, calling the damages excessive. This case echoes past high-profile lawsuits involving hot beverages, such as the famous McDonald's coffee case in the 1990s.

The verdict serves as a reminder of the importance of safety standards in handling hot drinks, both for businesses and consumers.

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