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How the Strait of Hormuz Crisis Is Hitting Your Wallet Right Now

Published May 17, 2026  |  Category: Oil Prices & Energy  |  By MoneySavings.ca If you've winced lately at the gas pump or noticed your grocery bill creeping up, you're not imagining it. A geopolitical crisis unfolding halfway around the world — at a narrow strip of water between Iran and Oman — is directly squeezing Canadian budgets. Here's everything you need to know, and what you can do about it. What Is the Strait of Hormuz? The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway just 33 kilometres wide at its tightest point, connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Despite its modest size, it is the world's single most critical energy chokepoint. Before this crisis, roughly 20 million barrels of oil moved through it every single day — about 20% of all the world's seaborne oil supply, plus significant volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Think of it as the world's energy jugular vein. When it gets blocked, the entire planet feels it. What Happened? On Februa...

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The Thirst Crisis in Gaza: A Struggle for Survival

 

The Gaza Strip faces an escalating water crisis, with clean sources becoming increasingly scarce due to ongoing conflict and infrastructure damage. Hundreds of thousands of residents have lost access to clean water after the destruction of pipelines and wells during military offensives. Many are forced to walk long distances to fill containers from the few remaining wells, which often fail to provide safe drinking water.

The Coastal Aquifer Basin, Gaza's only natural water source, is severely depleted and polluted, rendering up to 97% of its water unfit for human consumption. Desalination plants and sanitation facilities have also been heavily damaged, leaving the population with limited options. The daily water supply has dropped to an average of 3-5 liters per person, far below the minimum needed for basic survival.

This crisis highlights the urgent need for humanitarian aid and sustainable solutions to ensure access to clean water for Gaza's 2.3 million residents. Without immediate intervention, the situation could worsen, threatening lives and livelihoods across the region.

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