— Kelly Clarkson on what she says she actually got from winning American Idol. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, I guess?
International
Give It to Us Strait
What's going on: If you’ve followed our coverage of the Middle East conflict, you’ve probably noticed one place that keeps popping up: the Strait of Hormuz. For good reason. It’s one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world — and the most important for oil. Since the war began, oil shipments through the Strait have essentially stopped amid vessel attacks, pushing oil prices higher. And the disruptions aren’t expected to let up anytime soon. Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, broke his silence yesterday, saying the Strait should stay closed as a “tool to pressure the enemy.” He added that Tehran will continue strikes in the Persian Gulf. The ripple effects stretch beyond fuel: pricier food, medicine, airline tickets, and more.
What does this mean for your next fill-up? It depends on who you ask. President Donald Trump argues that higher oil prices benefit the US — even as one expert warns gas could climb to $5 a gallon. Goldman Sachs, meanwhile, predicts the rising costs will worsen inflation and stymie growth. Even Energy Secretary Chris Wright says Americans will likely suffer “short-term pain” from increased energy costs. Stressful, we know — but some small adjustments can help you save at the pump. Most cars don’t need premium gas, so regular usually works fine. Price-check nearby stations with apps like GasBuddy, Waze, or AAA. Join a fuel rewards program, or use credit card points for discounts. And if you can, fill up midweek — prices often dip slightly on Tuesday or Wednesday, when fewer drivers top off their tanks.
