Gas and travel prices could continue to spiral as tanker traffic stalls near Iran

The price of oil surging over the weekend sent global markets into a frenzy.

The price of a barrel of crude oil topped $100 on Monday for the first time since 2022.

American drivers are already feeling the pain at the pump.

The average price for a gallon of regular gas on Monday was $3.48, up nearly 50 cents from a week ago.

And prices could continue to increase with oil tankers held up in the Strait of Hormuz.

"Gas prices will likely continue advancing. Oil prices will likely keep climbing until that oil can move again," said GasBuddy's Patrick de Haan.

RELATED NEWS |Crude oil prices spike near $120 a barrel as the Iran war impedes production and shipping

That will impact air travel, too, because airlines are dependent on jet fuel from crude oil.

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"Airline prices will be immediate, both in terms of demand destruction, because the prices are going to go up so much that there's a lot of people who may be traveling who decide not to travel," said Babak Hefezi, Adjunct Professor of International Business at American University.

But economists and analysts say a hold up on movement in the Strait of Hormuz, including cargo ships, has the potential to ripple across all parts of global economies.

"The waterway is key for a whole host of products and also oil used in other industries. So we can expect people to pay more for their petrol, more for their food, more for almost any good you can think of, really," said Chris Beauchamp, Chief Marketing Analyst for IG.

MORE ON IRAN |Iran launches regional strikes as Israel hits fuel depots in widening war

Over the weekend, President Trump appeared to downplay the growing problem.

"But there's a lot of oil, we've got a lot of oil. Our country has a tremendous amount that we have. There's a lot of oil out there that will get used very quickly," he said.

The U.S. only gets a fraction of its oil from the Middle East. But that doesn't mean Americans won't feel the aftershocks of this conflict.

"The damages that have been already done to the ports are not something that we can just stop the war and everything will back to normal. This is something that's going to take 12 to 18 months to fix," Hefezi said.

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 09, 2026

Gas and travel prices could continue to spiral as tanker traffic stalls near Iran

The price of oil surging over the weekend sent global markets into a frenzy. The price of a barrel o...

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Fourth of July fireworks to return to Mount Rushmore despite wildfire risk

After a five-year hiatus, Fourth of July fireworks will return to Mount Rushmore this summer despite wildfire concerns.

The National Park ServiceannouncedMonday that the Independence Day celebration is returning to the historic presidential landmark in South Dakota to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the country's founding. Officials said the event will be held on July 3rd and tickets will be made available through a public lottery early next month.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT |Dozens of fires sweep across Great Plains amid dangerous conditions

"In partnership with the State of South Dakota, we are excited to reinstate a spectacular fireworks show as the highlight of Mount Rushmore's Independence Day commemoration," said Dr. Jenifer Chatfield, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. "We invite the public to enjoy the show and reflect on our nation's remarkable journey and the great patriotic leaders who established, preserved and expanded our country's destiny."

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Fourth of July firework displays had been held at Mt. Rushmore most years starting in the late 1990s. In 2010, however, the event was suspended due to various concerns, including wildfire risk and environmental concerns.

Then in 2020, during President Donald Trump's first term in office, then-South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem successfully lobbied to bring the Independence Day celebration event back to Mt. Rushmore following a decade-long hiatus. A year later, the event was again canceled when the Biden administration denied permits for fireworks, citing the same wildfire and environmental concerns.

RELATED STORY |Record snow drought in Western US raises concern for a spring of water shortages and wildfires

Meanwhile, Monday's announcement from the National Park Service made no mention of any planned fire prevention measures for this year's event even as drought grips much of the region.According to the National Drought Mitigation Center,Pennington County, South Dakota — which includes Mt. Rushmore — is currently facing "severe drought" conditions. Many western states are also experiencing some of their lowest snowpack in decades, which is depleting future water supplies and setting the stage for what could be a busy wildfire season.

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 09, 2026

Fourth of July fireworks to return to Mount Rushmore despite wildfire risk

After a five-year hiatus, Fourth of July fireworks will return to Mount Rushmore this summer despite wildfire concerns. ...

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Prewar US intel assessment found intervention in Iran wasn't likely to change leadership

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. intelligence assessment completed shortly before the United States and Israel launcheda war in Iranhad determined that American military intervention wasnot likely to lead to regime changein the Islamic Republic, according to two people familiar with the finding.

APTOPIX Iran US Israel

The National Intelligence Council's assessment in February concluded that neither limited airstrikes nor a larger, prolonged military campaign would be likely to result in a new government taking over in Iran, even if the current leadership was killed, according to the two people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the classified report.

The determination undercuts the administration's assertion that it can complete its objectives in Iran relatively quickly, perhaps in a matter of weeks. The administration has asserted that it was not seeking regime change in Iran, even as the strikes have taken out many figures in the Iranian leadership and President Donald Trump considers whomhe would like to see lead the country.

The intelligence assessment concluded that no one powerful or unified opposition coalition was poised to take over in Iran if the leadership was killed, according to the people familiar with the report. It determined that Iran's establishment would attempt to preserve continuity of power if Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, the people said.

In line with the assessment's findings, Iran's leading clerics on Sunday chose a new supreme leader,Mojtaba Khamenei,to succeed his father, who was killed in the war's opening salvo. The son is believed to hold views that are even more hardline than his father, and his selection is a strong sign of resistance from Iran's leadership and an indication the government won't step aside quickly.

The details of the assessment were reported earlier by The Washington Post and The New York Times.

Trump and other top administration leaders have givendifferent justifications for the strikesthat began on Feb. 28, saying they were necessary to set back Iran's nuclear weapons program or to preempt an Iranian ballistic missile attack. While Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said the waris not aimed at regime change, Trump has said it'ssomething he wants to see.

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A spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment on the assessment on Monday and referred questions to the White House. Director Tulsi Gabbardfired the council's acting chairpersonlast year after therelease of a declassified NIC memothat contradicted statements the Trump administration has used to justifydeporting Venezuelan immigrants.

Trump, dating back to his first term, has been deeply skeptical of the U.S. intelligence community and has frequently dismissed its findings as politically motivated or part of a "deep state" effort to undermine his presidency.

Richard Goldberg, director for countering Iranian weapons of mass destruction at the National Security Council during Trump's first term, noted that there's also a measure of skepticism toward the intelligence community because of some of its big misses in recent years.

U.S. intelligence agencies widely failed to predict the rapid collapse of the Afghan government to the Taliban that transpired in 2021, with most assessments suggesting a much slower takeover. And in the lead-up to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the ODNI, the Defense Department and the CIA wrongly estimated that Kyiv would quickly fall to a bigger and better equipped Russian military.

Goldberg, who is now a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a hawkish Washington think tank, said an intelligence assessment is "almost like an op-ed from the intelligence community."

Associated Press writers Aamer Madhani in Doral, Florida, and David Klepper in Washington contributed to this report.

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 09, 2026

Prewar US intel assessment found intervention in Iran wasn't likely to change leadership

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. intelligence assessment completed shortly before the United States and Israel launcheda war in I...

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Duke marks its record 150th No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25, Wisconsin, Louisville back in poll

Duke was chosen No. 1 inthe AP Top 25men's college basketball poll for a record 150th time on Monday.

North Carolina Duke Basketball

The Blue Devils received 56 of 61 first-place votes from a national media panel after wins overrivals NC State and North Carolina, leaving them in the top spot for the third consecutive week.Arizona stayed secondand received four first-place votes while Michigan received the other No. 1 ballot after its impressivewin over No. 8 Michigan State.

"We've put ourselves in a position to do something special and make a run," Duke coach Jon Scheyer said.

The Blue Devils reachedNo. 1 in the AP pollfor the first time on Dec. 13, 1965, and they've spent more time there than any other men's basketball program. UCLA is second with 134 weeks on top while Kentucky is third (125).

Now, Scheyer's crew heads into the ACC Tournament as the No. 1 seed, but potentially without two of their starters. Patrick Ngongba II and Caleb Foster both were wearing boots in the second half of Duke's win over the Tar Heels on Saturday.

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"I'd be shocked if both of them are playing (in the conference tournament)," Scheyer said. "Our plan is how can we get as healthy as possible and ready as possible for two weeks from now, wherever we go (into the NCAA Tournament)."

Defending national championFlorida climbed to fourthin this week's AP poll, the highest the Gators have been since they were preseason No. 3. Houston moved up to fifth after finishing second to Arizona in the regular-season Big 12 race.

UConn dropped from fourth to sixth afterthe Huskies were upset by Marquettein their regular-season Big East finale.

Rising and fall

St. John's moved up five spots to No. 13 after beating Georgetown and Seton Hall last week. The Red Storm have won 16 of their last 17 games with the lone defeat coming to UConn, and Rick Pitino's squad is seeded No. 1 in the Big East Tournament this week.

Texas Tech, which lost All-American forward JT Toppin to a torn ACL, dropped six spots to No. 16 following losses to TCU and BYU.

In and out

Wisconsin made its fifth appearance in the poll this season at No. 23 after routing Maryland and beating Purdue on the road last week. Louisville also returned to the poll at No. 24 after wins over Syracuse and then-No. 22 Miami.The Hurricanes were the top team outside the Top 25 while Saint Louis dropped out following its loss to George Mason.Conference tournamentsArizona, Houston, No. 14 Kansas and Texas Tech are the top four seeds in the Big 12 and earned double-byes into the quarterfinals on Thursday. Duke, No. 10 Virginia, Miami and No. 19 North Carolina are the top four in the ACC and likewise begin play Thursday, as will the top four seeds in the Big East: St. John's, UConn, Villanova and Seton Hall.Michigan, No. 11 Nebraska, Michigan State and No. 9 Illinois are the top four seeds in the Big Ten and will play their quarterfinal games on Friday. So will Florida, No. 15 Alabama, No. 17 Arkansas and No. 22 Vanderbilt, the top four seeds in the SEC Tournament.No. 12 Gonzaga played Oregon State in the West Coast semifinals on Monday night, while No. 21 Saint Mary's played Santa Clara in the other semifinal. The winners will meet for the conference championship Tuesday night.No. 20 Miami (Ohio) is the top seed in the MAC tourney. The RedHawks play UMass in the quarterfinals on Thursday.NET rankingsThe rankings used by the NCAA to help seed its tournamentvaried slightly from the AP poll. The NET had Michigan instead of Arizona at No. 2 behind the Blue Devils, while BYU and Iowa — unranked in the media poll — rounded out its version of the Top 25.The RedHawks, who completed a 31-0 regular season, were ranked 55th by the NET due in large part to their strength of schedule.Conference watchThe Big Ten has six ranked teams while the Big 12 and SEC have five apiece, though the Big 12's five included three of the top seven and all within the top 16. The ACC has four ranked teams, the Big East and West Coast two apiece and the MAC one.___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphere. AP college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Wisconsin made its fifth appearance in the poll this season at No. 23 after routing Maryland and beating Purdue on the road last week. Louisville also returned to the poll at No. 24 after wins over Syracuse and then-No. 22 Miami.

The Hurricanes were the top team outside the Top 25 while Saint Louis dropped out following its loss to George Mason.

Conference tournaments

Arizona, Houston, No. 14 Kansas and Texas Tech are the top four seeds in the Big 12 and earned double-byes into the quarterfinals on Thursday. Duke, No. 10 Virginia, Miami and No. 19 North Carolina are the top four in the ACC and likewise begin play Thursday, as will the top four seeds in the Big East: St. John's, UConn, Villanova and Seton Hall.Michigan, No. 11 Nebraska, Michigan State and No. 9 Illinois are the top four seeds in the Big Ten and will play their quarterfinal games on Friday. So will Florida, No. 15 Alabama, No. 17 Arkansas and No. 22 Vanderbilt, the top four seeds in the SEC Tournament.No. 12 Gonzaga played Oregon State in the West Coast semifinals on Monday night, while No. 21 Saint Mary's played Santa Clara in the other semifinal. The winners will meet for the conference championship Tuesday night.No. 20 Miami (Ohio) is the top seed in the MAC tourney. The RedHawks play UMass in the quarterfinals on Thursday.NET rankingsThe rankings used by the NCAA to help seed its tournamentvaried slightly from the AP poll. The NET had Michigan instead of Arizona at No. 2 behind the Blue Devils, while BYU and Iowa — unranked in the media poll — rounded out its version of the Top 25.The RedHawks, who completed a 31-0 regular season, were ranked 55th by the NET due in large part to their strength of schedule.Conference watchThe Big Ten has six ranked teams while the Big 12 and SEC have five apiece, though the Big 12's five included three of the top seven and all within the top 16. The ACC has four ranked teams, the Big East and West Coast two apiece and the MAC one.___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphere. AP college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Arizona, Houston, No. 14 Kansas and Texas Tech are the top four seeds in the Big 12 and earned double-byes into the quarterfinals on Thursday. Duke, No. 10 Virginia, Miami and No. 19 North Carolina are the top four in the ACC and likewise begin play Thursday, as will the top four seeds in the Big East: St. John's, UConn, Villanova and Seton Hall.

Michigan, No. 11 Nebraska, Michigan State and No. 9 Illinois are the top four seeds in the Big Ten and will play their quarterfinal games on Friday. So will Florida, No. 15 Alabama, No. 17 Arkansas and No. 22 Vanderbilt, the top four seeds in the SEC Tournament.

No. 12 Gonzaga played Oregon State in the West Coast semifinals on Monday night, while No. 21 Saint Mary's played Santa Clara in the other semifinal. The winners will meet for the conference championship Tuesday night.

No. 20 Miami (Ohio) is the top seed in the MAC tourney. The RedHawks play UMass in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

NET rankings

The rankings used by the NCAA to help seed its tournamentvaried slightly from the AP poll. The NET had Michigan instead of Arizona at No. 2 behind the Blue Devils, while BYU and Iowa — unranked in the media poll — rounded out its version of the Top 25.The RedHawks, who completed a 31-0 regular season, were ranked 55th by the NET due in large part to their strength of schedule.Conference watchThe Big Ten has six ranked teams while the Big 12 and SEC have five apiece, though the Big 12's five included three of the top seven and all within the top 16. The ACC has four ranked teams, the Big East and West Coast two apiece and the MAC one.___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphere. AP college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

The rankings used by the NCAA to help seed its tournamentvaried slightly from the AP poll. The NET had Michigan instead of Arizona at No. 2 behind the Blue Devils, while BYU and Iowa — unranked in the media poll — rounded out its version of the Top 25.

The RedHawks, who completed a 31-0 regular season, were ranked 55th by the NET due in large part to their strength of schedule.

Conference watch

The Big Ten has six ranked teams while the Big 12 and SEC have five apiece, though the Big 12's five included three of the top seven and all within the top 16. The ACC has four ranked teams, the Big East and West Coast two apiece and the MAC one.___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphere. AP college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

The Big Ten has six ranked teams while the Big 12 and SEC have five apiece, though the Big 12's five included three of the top seven and all within the top 16. The ACC has four ranked teams, the Big East and West Coast two apiece and the MAC one.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphere. AP college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 09, 2026

Duke marks its record 150th No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25, Wisconsin, Louisville back in poll

Duke was chosen No. 1 inthe AP Top 25men's college basketball poll for a record 150th time on Monday. Nor...

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Kate Middleton and Prince William Join King Charles at Biggest Royal Gathering Since Ex-Prince Andrew's Arrest

Kate Middleton and Prince William stepped out with King Charles for the first time since ex-Prince Andrew's arrest in February

NEED TO KNOW

• The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 9

• The King was also joined by Queen Camilla and other royals for the annual service

Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamshowed their support forKing Charlesat the biggest public gathering of royals since the former Prince Andrew was arrested.

On March 9, the Prince and Princess of Wales attended the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London, the couple's wedding day venue in April 2011. They arrived in coordinating blue ensembles, with Kate wearing a Catherine Walker coat and matching hat.

They joined King Charles,Queen Camilla,Princess Anneand her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester for the service.

Prince Albert of Monaco also joined the congregation.

Inside, the royals greeted each other warmly, including acurtsy and a kiss on the cheekfor King Charles from his daughter-in-law, Princess Kate.

In other years,Andrew Mountbatten-Windsormight have attended. But, after hestepped back from royal dutiesin the wake of his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2019, he did not attend many official royal engagements. However, he continued to join the royals at family events such as funerals and holiday church outings.

In October 2025, King Charles announced that he was stripping Andrew's royal titles and honors. In addition, Andrew would have to give up his lease at Royal Lodge, the residence where he's lived for many years.

Then came the bombshell news ofAndrew's arrest on Feb. 19, his 66thbirthday, at his temporary home of Wood Farm at the royal family's Sandringham estate in Norfolk, over allegations of misconduct in public office. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

At Westminster Abbey on March 9, anti-monarchy protestors gathered outside the service with signs alluding to Andrew's scandals. Some held letters that spelled out "What did you know?" while another read "Charles, what are you hiding?"

Inside, the 1,800-strong congregation at the Commonwealth Day service heard an address from former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner, who is a Royal Commonwealth Society Ambassador, while dancer Oti Mabuse gave a reflection. There was also a poem from Selina Tusitala Marsh, the inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate.

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There was also the world premiere of the Commonwealth Symphony, composed by Rekesh Chauhan and a collaboration between the Royal Ballet School and Sapnay Entertainments Ltd., which unveiled a cross-cultural partnership between classical ballet and Bollywood.

The service brought together government representatives, young people and leaders from the creative community, showcasing how the Commonwealth — which comprises the U.K. and the family of 55 other nations and 2.7 billion people — can harmonize its diverse voices.

The theme is said to have been inspired by the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026 theme of Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.

A traditional Scottish Ceilidh band and the Melodians Steel Drum Orchestra also contributed their unique talent to the service.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Although the BBC traditionally broadcasts the Commonwealth Day service, the network did not do so this year for the first time since 1989. Instead, an episode ofEscape to the Country,a long-running reality TV show that follows prospective homeowners leaving city life,aired.

"Our decision not to broadcast the Commonwealth Day Ceremony in the same way we've done in previous years reflects the difficult choices we have to make in light of our funding challenges," the BBC said in a statement, perHello!magazine. "We can confirm BBC News plans to cover the service across its platforms, including the BBC One bulletins and rolling news channel."

King Charles also releases a message in honor of Commonwealth Day, withthis year's addressfocusing on being a "force for good" amid the world's challenges.

"We join together on this Commonwealth Day at a time of great challenge and great possibility," the King says in a preview of the full speech released over the weekend. "Across our world, communities and nations face the increasing pressures of conflict, climate change and rapid transformation. Yet it is often in such testing moments that the enduring spirit of the Commonwealth is most clearly revealed."

He continues, "Working together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to stand as a force for good — grounded in community, committed to the kind of restorative sustainability that has a return on investment, enriched by culture, steadfast in its care for our planet, and united in friendship and in the service of its people."

Read the original article onPeople

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 09, 2026

Kate Middleton and Prince William Join King Charles at Biggest Royal Gathering Since Ex-Prince Andrew's Arrest

Kate Middleton and Prince William stepped out with King Charles for the first time since ex-Prince Andrew's arrest in...

Read More