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5 Things to Know Today: Gas Prices Keep Falling, WestJet's Strike Drags On, and the Tariff Clock Is Ticking

  Monday, August 3, 2026 — Civic Holiday It's the Civic Holiday, so the TSX and the big banks are closed — but plenty is still moving that will hit your wallet this week. Here are five things worth knowing today. 1. Markets and banks are closed today — here's what that means for your money The TSX, TSX Venture, and Montreal Exchange are shut for the Civic Holiday and reopen Tuesday morning. Most major banks are closed too, which means e-transfers, bill payments, and cheque deposits made today may not clear until Tuesday. What it means for you: If you have a mortgage payment, credit card payment, or bill due today, submit it a day early where possible to avoid a processing delay counting against you. Any trades placed today will execute Tuesday when markets reopen. 2. Oil just crashed — and gas prices are following it down Brent crude fell roughly 6% to close to $84 a barrel after reports that a planned strike on Iran was called off, easing fears of a wider Middle East supply di...

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Russia's Conditions for US Talks on Ukraine: A Path to Diplomacy?

 

Russia has recently outlined its demands for potential negotiations with the United States regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. According to sources, Moscow has presented a list of conditions aimed at ending the war and resetting relations with Washington. These demands include barring Ukraine from NATO membership, prohibiting the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine, and recognizing Russia's claims over Crimea and four Ukrainian provinces.

The discussions between Russian and American officials reportedly took place over the past three weeks, both in-person and virtually. While the exact details of the demands remain unclear, they are said to align with Russia's long-standing positions on NATO's eastward expansion and the "root causes" of the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed openness to a 30-day ceasefire as a preliminary step toward broader peace talks. However, concerns persist among U.S. officials and experts that Russia might use such a truce to further its strategic objectives.

The situation remains fluid, with both sides exploring the possibility of diplomacy while navigating complex geopolitical dynamics. Whether these talks will lead to a resolution or further entrench existing divisions remains to be seen.

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