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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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Russia Rejects Trump's Ukraine Peace Proposals

In a significant diplomatic development, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has rejected the peace proposals floated by President-elect Donald Trump's allies to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. Lavrov stated that Moscow has not received any official signals regarding a settlement in Ukraine but expressed dissatisfaction with the unofficial ideas being circulated. 

The proposals reportedly included delaying Ukraine's NATO membership for 20 years and stationing British and European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. Lavrov emphasized the need for reliable and legally binding agreements that address the root causes of the conflict and prevent future violations. 

Trump, who campaigned on ending the war by the time he takes office, has not officially released any proposals to end the conflict. However, he has claimed that he could end the war within 24 hours of taking office. Despite these claims, Lavrov expressed skepticism about Trump's ability to restore ties between Russia and the U.S., citing the current bipartisan consensus on deterring Russia.

The rejection of these proposals marks a setback for Trump's hopes to freeze the conflict and highlights the complexities of achieving a lasting peace in the region.



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