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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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Kremlin Criticizes U.S.-Proposed Ceasefire as Favoring Ukraine

A senior Kremlin official has expressed skepticism over a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Yuri Ushakov, a top foreign policy aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, stated that the ceasefire would merely provide a temporary respite for Ukraine's military forces. Speaking to state television, Ushakov emphasized that Russia seeks a long-term peaceful settlement that addresses its strategic concerns and interests.

The proposal, endorsed by Ukraine, has been presented as a step toward de-escalating the three-year conflict. However, Ushakov criticized the initiative, suggesting it could be a tactical move to bolster Ukraine's military preparedness. The Kremlin has indicated that it requires more detailed information from the U.S. before taking a definitive stance on the matter.

The ceasefire proposal comes amid intensified diplomatic efforts by the U.S., with President Donald Trump urging both sides to consider the plan as a pathway to broader peace negotiations. While Ukraine has signaled its willingness to support the truce, Russia's response remains uncertain, with officials reiterating their focus on achieving a comprehensive and lasting resolution to the conflict.

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