Oil prices have gone over $100 a barrel, reaching this level for the first time since 2022, due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The rise in prices affects consumers and poses challenges for President Trump, who had previously highlighted lower gasoline prices. Efforts are underway to manage the situation, but oil supply risks remain high.
Key Facts
Oil prices reached $101.81 for Brent crude and $101.56 for WTI, the main U.S. metric.
Gasoline prices in the U.S. rose from about $3 to $3.45 per gallon after military strikes on Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial passage for oil shipping that is currently avoided due to risks.
The U.S. government is considering options like offering political risk insurance and naval escorts.
In 2022, oil prices similarly rose due to disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The Trump administration is exploring emergency measures like using the national oil reserves.
Some production in Iraq and Kuwait has already stopped and might affect other regions like UAE and Saudi Arabia.
If the situation continues, oil prices could reach even higher levels, potentially $120 a barrel.
Many cocoa farmers in Ghana and Ivory Coast are facing financial difficulties due to a sharp drop in cocoa prices. This has led some farmers to allow illegal mining on their land to earn more money. The decline in cocoa prices has caused cocoa beans to rot in warehouses as demand falls short of supply.
Key Facts
Cocoa prices have dropped significantly, leaving beans unsold in warehouses.
Farmers like Manu Yaw Fofie have allowed illegal sand mining on their land as a way to make money.
Ghana and Ivory Coast supply nearly 70% of the world's cocoa beans.
The price crash followed a previous peak of cocoa futures at over $12,000 per metric ton.
In January, Ivory Coast bought excess cocoa supplies from farmers.
Government-set cocoa prices aim to protect farmers from market changes.
Climate change and poor weather have reduced cocoa bean yields.
Some farmers are leasing land for illegal mining instead of growing cocoa.
McDonald's announced a new limited-time Happy Meal promotion featuring collectible Crocs keychain toys. This promotion is linked to the annual high school basketball McDonald's All-American Games and includes digital game experiences.
Key Facts
McDonald’s is introducing a new Happy Meal tied to its All-American Games event.
The promotion starts on March 10 and includes Crocs-themed keychain toys.
Each Happy Meal comes with one of six mini Crocs keychains and Jibbitz charm stickers.
Customers can scan a QR code for an online gaming experience.
The exact duration of the promotion is not specified.
The All-American Games event will occur on March 31 in Glendale, Arizona.
The event will feature 24 top high school basketball players from across the U.S.
McDonald’s recently launched a new menu item, the "Big Arch Burger."
Grocery Outlet plans to close 36 stores in 2026 because they are not making enough money. The company made this decision after expanding too fast and will focus on improving its business profits. They will also open 30 to 33 new stores next year.
Key Facts
Grocery Outlet will close 36 stores in 2026 as part of a plan to improve its business performance.
The company aims to shut down stores that aren't making enough money.
The closures include plans to end or sublease store leases and a distribution center.
Currently, Grocery Outlet has more than 560 stores in 16 states.
Out of the 36 stores to be closed, 24 are located in the eastern U.S.
Grocery Outlet will not leave any state and plans to open 30 to 33 new stores in 2026.
In the last quarter of 2025, the company reported a loss of $218 million.
Shares of the company have dropped over 43% in the past year.
The article discusses how Nerys Mitchell, a female lorry driver in the UK, is challenging stereotypes and highlighting the shortage of women in the haulage industry. Nerys is one of the few women in a largely male-dominated field, which faces recruitment challenges partly due to outdated beliefs about the job's suitability for women. Increasing female visibility in the industry is suggested as a potential solution to these staffing issues.
Key Facts
Nerys Mitchell is the only female driver out of 75 at her transport company.
Only about 1% of HGV (heavy goods vehicle) drivers in England are women.
Nerys has aspired to drive lorries since childhood and has been doing so for nine years.
The transport company says Nerys is one of their best-performing drivers with excellent feedback.
Gender stereotypes about the physical nature of the job still exist but are considered outdated.
Nerys believes more visibility of women in the field can help break down barriers.
The industry struggles with recruiting women, partly due to the perception that trucking is not a suitable job for them.
Long hours and time away from family are challenges that might deter women from joining the industry.
Ryan Coogler, a filmmaker, made a special deal with Warner Bros. for his movie "Sinners," giving him ownership rights in 2050. This approach might change how film deals work in Hollywood. The movie "Sinners" became a major success, getting 16 Oscar nominations and making significant profit.
Key Facts
Ryan Coogler's movie "Sinners" will allow him to own the film in 2050 under a unique deal with Warner Bros.
Coogler could become the first Black director to win Best Director at the Academy Awards.
"Sinners" received 16 Oscar nominations and broke the record for the most-nominated film.
The film made about $370 million worldwide, far more than its $90 million budget.
Coogler received royalties from various sources like streaming and merchandising, usually going to the studio.
Coogler’s deal encourages other filmmakers to seek similar agreements, posing challenges for major studios.
Film executives like Sony's Tom Rothman are hesitant to grant ownership deals to directors.
Coogler is known for directing successful films like "Black Panther" and "Creed."
The number of Black-owned bookstores in the U.S. has increased to 306 from just 54 a decade ago. Despite this growth, many of these stores face financial challenges and are adapting by offering community events and partnerships to survive. These bookstores provide important access to books by Black authors as schools and libraries limit such content.
Key Facts
A decade ago, there were 54 Black-owned bookstores in the U.S.; now, there are 306.
90% of these bookstores earn less than $250,000 a year, reflecting financial challenges.
36% of Black-owned bookstores do not have a permanent in-person location (brick-and-mortar).
14 states in the U.S. do not have any Black-owned bookstores.
Black-owned bookstores make up about 8% of independent bookstores.
Sales of books by Black authors have fallen by 14%, even though overall print sales have slightly increased.
Many bookstores are diversifying by hosting events and forming partnerships to improve their sustainability.
Estelita's Library in Seattle, a nonprofit, combines bookstore functions with community-building activities and has raised $16 million for a project including affordable housing.
The FDA has classified the recall of two snack bars by Juniper Granola as a Class I, or highest risk level, due to undeclared milk and soy allergens. The company voluntarily recalled 1,800 bars in New York after a customer had an allergic reaction. These products were sold in grocery stores and online and are linked to batch codes L1300, L1300A, L1300B, and L1301A.
Key Facts
The FDA classified the recall of the Junebar snack bars as Class I, meaning there is a high risk of serious health issues.
Juniper Granola is recalling two products: Junebar Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and Junebar Chocolate Cherry snack bars.
The recall affects 1,800 snack bars sold in New York State in January 2026.
Undeclared milk and soy allergens are the reason for the recall, posing a risk for people with those allergies.
The company initiated the recall after one customer reported a milk-related allergic reaction.
Consumers can return the bars for a full refund and contact Juniper Granola for more information.
The batch codes for affected bars are L1300, L1300A, L1300B, and L1301A.
The FDA recall numbers are H‑0542‑2026 and H‑0543‑2026.
OpenAI is experiencing a slowdown in its fundraising, with significant investors like Nvidia and Microsoft becoming cautious. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang indicated this might be their last major investment in OpenAI until it becomes publicly traded. Despite OpenAI's increased valuation and demand, experts are concerned about its unproven profitability and mounting costs.
Key Facts
OpenAI has raised more than $168 billion in investments.
Nvidia plans to invest $30 billion more in OpenAI but expresses caution about future investments.
Nvidia's quarterly revenue exceeded expectations but its stock fell by 9 percent due to investor concerns.
OpenAI's compute power obligations are projected to cost $600 billion by 2030.
Microsoft experienced a similar stock decline due to a slowdown in its Azure cloud growth.
OpenAI needs to earn $200 billion annually by 2030 to meet projections, amid increasing costs.
Legal challenges against OpenAI include lawsuits over copyright and other allegations.
OpenAI’s profitability remains uncertain, raising doubts about sustaining high valuations.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are working on a range of projects in the United States, including TV shows, films, and lifestyle ventures. They recently renewed their first-look deal with Netflix to produce content and are involved in romance novel adaptations and documentaries. Despite facing challenges and mixed reviews, they continue to seek success in their post-royal careers.
Key Facts
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry moved to the U.S. in 2020 to pursue financial independence and media ventures.
They renewed their Netflix deal which allows Netflix the first chance to accept their film and TV projects.
Their Netflix project "With Love, Meghan" received mixed reviews and future seasons are uncertain.
They are adapting two romance novels for Netflix: "The Wedding Date" and "Meet Me at the Lake."
They released a documentary called "Cookie Queens" which premiered at Sundance, but it's unclear if it has sold.
Meghan launched a podcast called "Confessions of a Female Founder" in 2025 but announced a break from podcasting after one season.
In 2026, people in the United States will face higher health insurance premiums and changes in Medicare and Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage. Many will see increased costs in health care, such as hospital visits, and some might drop their insurance due to rising prices. There will also be alterations in Medicare and ACA plans, influenced by policy changes.
Key Facts
Health insurance premiums will increase in 2026 for all types of coverage.
Hospitals and doctor's offices will charge more, leading to higher medical bills.
Some people may choose not to have insurance and look for other ways to pay for care.
Fewer people will be enrolled in ACA plans due to higher premiums and expired subsidies.
Medicare will introduce a pilot program requiring prior authorization for certain services in six states.
Medicare Part D's out-of-pocket maximum will increase to $2,100.
A survey predicts a 5-6% hike in paycheck deductions for insurance premiums in 2026.
Changes in ACA coverage mean increased costs and the loss of some plan access for certain noncitizens under new legislation.
The U.S. economy is facing challenges as 92,000 jobs were cut in February. Earlier job numbers for two months were revised downward, and unemployment rose slightly. This suggests several areas of the job market are struggling.
Key Facts
92,000 jobs were cut in the U.S. in February.
Previous two months of job data were revised to lower numbers.
The unemployment rate went up slightly.
Job losses affect multiple parts of the economy.
Some sectors that previously showed growth are now struggling.
Amna Nawaz spoke with Diane Swonk, KPMG's chief economist, about the situation.
Brewdog, a UK-based craft beer company, recently entered administration after facing financial struggles and negative publicity. The company was founded by James Watt and Martin Dickie, who turned it from a small operation into a billion-pound business before leaving in 2024. Their departure left many investors and employees uncertain about their financial futures.
Key Facts
Brewdog was founded by James Watt and Martin Dickie in the mid-2000s in Scotland.
The company aimed to change the craft beer industry with bold marketing and products.
Brewdog's flagship beer, Punk IPA, helped them win a major contract with Tesco.
In 2024, Brewdog entered administration due to financial losses and negative press.
James Watt and Martin Dickie left the company in 2024.
The company had over 200,000 investors, many of whom may not recover their investments.
Brewdog raised money through a scheme called "Equity For Punks," where fans could buy shares.
The founders became wealthy after previously cashing out £100m in 2017.
Nintendo has filed a lawsuit against the United States, challenging the high import taxes known as tariffs that were introduced by President Donald Trump. These tariffs caused Nintendo to delay pre-orders for its new gaming console, the Switch 2. Various U.S. states and other companies, like FedEx, have also joined in lawsuits against the tariffs.
Key Facts
Nintendo filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government over high import tariffs.
President Trump introduced new tariffs on imported goods, affecting companies like Nintendo.
The tariffs led Nintendo to delay pre-orders for its new console, the Switch 2.
The tariffs imposed a 54% tax on goods from China, prompting China to retaliate with its own taxes.
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol collected approximately $166 billion from these tariffs.
Nintendo managed to keep the Switch 2 console price stable by importing from Vietnam instead of China.
Many states and companies are seeking refunds or challenging the tariffs in court.
Meghan's lifestyle brand, As ever, has ended its partnership with Netflix. The brand, which launched last year with Netflix's support, will now operate independently. Netflix and As ever released statements confirming the end of their partnership.
Key Facts
Meghan's lifestyle brand is called As ever.
As ever launched last year with financial support from Netflix.
The brand will now become fully independent from Netflix.
As ever sells products such as jams, rosé wine, teas, and cookies.
Meghan and Netflix ended their partnership for producing TV series, which started in 2020.
Despite previous collaborations, the TV series "With Love, Meghan" did not perform well with audiences.
Netflix and As ever released statements expressing mutual appreciation for their past collaboration.
Questions have arisen about Southwest Airlines' cleaning practices after a report suggested that the airline might test a policy focusing on cleaning premium seats during quick turnarounds. Southwest clarified that its standard cleaning processes remain the same, with flight attendants tidying between flights and additional cleaners potentially brought in at some airports.
Key Facts
Southwest Airlines may be testing a policy to clean premium seats more thoroughly on quick turnarounds.
The airline's standard practice is for flight attendants to tidy the cabin between flights.
Southwest said it might bring in extra cleaners at certain airports when needed.
Quick turnarounds mean limited time for cleaning, with full cleanings typically done overnight.
Questions about these practices intensified after an online discussion.
Southwest Airlines recently changed its seating policy from open seating to assigned seating.
The airline plans to refine boarding groups and overhead bin rules based on customer feedback.
The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency needs 45 more days to create a system for issuing refunds for tariffs that the Supreme Court recently invalidated. The tariffs were applied under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which the court ruled was used unlawfully by President Trump. Importers will eventually be able to request refunds without filing lawsuits once the new system is ready.
Key Facts
CBP needs 45 additional days to prepare a refund system for tariffs overturned by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court ruled that President Trump used the IEEPA law improperly to impose these tariffs.
CBP must reprogram its systems due to the volume of tariff entries, which involve over 53 million entries from more than 330,000 importers.
Refunds will be processed automatically once the new system is operational, saving millions of hours of manual work.
The IEEPA tariffs involve deposits valued at about $166 billion as of early March.
Importers will need to register electronically to receive refunds, but only a small percentage have done so.
The new refund process will be streamlined, and importers will not need to file lawsuits to receive their refunds.
The article discusses how the recent military actions between the United States, Israel, and Iran have impacted the U.S. stock market. While there has been some market volatility and decline, the reaction has been less severe compared to past conflicts. Historically, markets tend to recover relatively quickly after an initial sell-off due to geopolitical events.
Key Facts
Recent military actions involve the U.S. and Israel launching strikes on Iran, followed by Iran's retaliations.
Initially, U.S. stock markets showed mixed reactions, with some indices falling and others remaining stable or increasing.
Oil and gold prices rose as these commodities tend to be viewed as safe investments during uncertain times.
Historically, the U.S. stock market has experienced less than a 5% drop on average following major geopolitical events.
Typical market recovery from these kinds of events can take several weeks.
Analysts suggest that wars can heighten existing economic issues rather than directly cause market crashes.
Market resilience often depends on the broader economic environment during the conflict, such as recession risks.
Tucker Carlson has launched new merchandise that has unexpectedly gained popularity among liberals. President Donald Trump recently criticized Carlson for his stance against the Iran War, affecting his standing with some conservative supporters. The merchandise includes designs with socialist themes, leading to debate among buyers about supporting a political opponent.
Key Facts
Tucker Carlson, a former Fox News host, has launched a new merchandise line.
The merchandise unexpectedly gained popularity among liberals on social media.
President Donald Trump criticized Carlson for opposing military action in Iran.
Carlson's merchandise has designs featuring socialist symbols, such as a hammer and sickle.
Some social media users expressed moral conflicts about buying from a political opponent.
The U.S. is involved in military action against Iran, with President Trump seeking unconditional surrender.
Carlson has publicly criticized the decision to attack Iran.
Canada and the United States have restarted trade discussions after a break that lasted several months. Canadian trade minister Dominic LeBlanc is visiting Washington for meetings about the US-Canada-Mexico free trade agreement (USMCA). The talks were previously stopped in October after an advert caused tension between the two countries.
Key Facts
Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s trade minister, is meeting US trade representative Jamieson Greer in Washington.
The discussions focus on the US-Canada-Mexico free trade agreement, known as USMCA.
Formal trade talks were paused last October after Ontario ran an anti-tariff advert, leading to President Trump's decision to suspend talks.
President Trump has considered ending the USMCA or creating separate trade deals with Canada and Mexico.
Canada wants to keep the USMCA in place, expressing concern over the agreement's future.
The USMCA protects most of Canada’s trade from broad US tariffs, though specific tariffs on steel, aluminum, and cars remain.
A worldwide 10% duty was imposed by the US under a rarely used law called Section 122.
While Canadian and US officials say some tariffs will likely stay, meetings between US and Mexican negotiators will also occur soon.
