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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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French Government to Resign: A Caretaker Transition Amid Political Turmoil

 

French President Emmanuel Macron is poised to accept the resignation of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and his government by the end of the day. This move comes after an inconclusive snap election, but the current administration will remain in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet is appointed. Here’s what you need to know:

  1. Caretaker Government: Attal’s government will continue to handle emergency situations and manage current affairs in the euro zone’s second-largest economy. However, they won’t be able to propose new legislation or make significant changes. Notably, this caretaker government will oversee the smooth running of the upcoming Olympics, scheduled to begin on July 26.

  2. Left-Wing Struggles: Left-wing parties are embroiled in a bitter dispute over who should be the next prime minister. The New Popular Front (NFP), an alliance of socialists, Greens, and communists, unexpectedly topped the vote in the recent snap election. However, tensions persist over forming a left-wing government.

  3. Mainstream Alliance: President Macron has called for mainstream parties to forge an alliance, potentially including elements of the NFP but excluding France Unbowed. The urgency to find a solution is high, as Communist party leader Fabien Roussel warns of a potential “shipwreck” if consensus isn’t reached.

In summary, France faces a delicate political landscape as it navigates this caretaker transition. The fate of the next government remains uncertain, and all eyes are on the negotiations between competing factions. Stay tuned for further developments.


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