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Global oil benchmark Brent crude breaks above $90 a barrel amid Iran war Oil prices surged to their highest levels in months on Monday as tensions between Iran and Israel escalated in the Middle East, disrupting regional energy shipments. Global benchmark Brent crude futures climbed 6.14% to trade at $90.65 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 8.76% to $88.11. The spike followed President Donald Trump’s demand for Iran’s unconditional surrender, which intensified fears of a prolonged conflict that could severely disrupt global oil supplies. The U.S.-Iran conflict, now in its seventh day, has caused significant disruptions to energy production and shipping routes. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil transport, saw near-standstill traffic, raising concerns about potential supply chain failures. Qatar’s energy minister, Saad al-Kaabi, warned that if tankers cannot pass through the strait, crude prices could soar to $150 per barrel within weeks. Such a surge, he said, could “bring down the economies of the world.” Al-Kaabi emphasized that Gulf exporters would halt production if the situation worsened, stating, “Everybody that has not called for force majeure we expect will do so in the next few days that this continues. All exporters in the Gulf region will have to call force majeure. If they don’t, they are at some point going to pay the liability for that legally, and that’s their choice.” The conflict has also impacted consumer prices, with the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in the U.S. rising nearly 27 cents in the last week to $3.25, according to data from the American Automobile Association. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged the ongoing military engagement, stating in a press conference that the U.S. had “only just begun to fight.#iran #israel #strait_of_hormuz #qatar #pete_hegseth

In marathon outreach, NCW plans week-long public hearings covering 500 districts The National Commission for Women is launching nationwide 'Mahila Jan Sunwais' in 500 districts across 25 states until March 14. This initiative aims to resolve approximately 15,000 complaints, with a focus on domestic violence and dowry harassment. NCW chief Vijaya Rahatkar will lead hearings in five states lacking commission chairpersons, bringing support directly to women in distress. #districts #National_Commission #Mahila_Jan #Jan_Sunwais' #marathon_outreach #launching_nationwide #NCW_plans #plans_week-long #week-long_public #hearings_covering

Iran strikes disrupt shadow oil shipping routes used by Russia and China Tehran’s strike campaign threatens to disrupt shadow shipping networks and sanctions-evasion routes, raising energy costs for Moscow and Beijing and potentially squeezing Russia’s war funding and China’s industrial and military supply chains. As of Monday, the Iranian military’s targeting of key maritime infrastructure has intensified, with operations aimed at blocking critical corridors for illicit oil transport. These routes, often referred to as "shadow fleets," are used by Russia and China to bypass international sanctions and move oil through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil trade, has further escalated tensions. Western nations and their allies have launched coordinated efforts to target Iranian assets, including naval vessels and coastal installations, in an attempt to disrupt these smuggling operations. Analysts warn that the disruption of these routes could lead to a significant rise in energy prices worldwide, as both Russia and China rely on these channels to sustain their economies and military operations. The Iranian strikes have also drawn attention to the broader geopolitical struggle over energy resources. Russia, which has been under severe sanctions for its invasion of Ukraine, has increasingly turned to China for economic and military support. Meanwhile, China’s growing reliance on Middle Eastern oil has made it a key player in the region’s energy dynamics. The disruption of shadow shipping routes could force both nations to seek alternative supply chains, potentially altering the balance of power in the region. The U.S.#iran #china #strait_of_hormuz #russia #persian_gulf

America’s oil boom has kept gas prices from soaring to $4 a gallon despite the Iran war, but the U.S. can’t shield consumers from global market forces. The country produces more oil than any nation in history, yet rising tensions in the Middle East have pushed prices up 7% in days. The U.S. exports nearly a third of its oil and imports a third of its consumption, creating a delicate balance. While domestic production provides some stability, oil is traded globally, and geopolitical conflicts like the Iran war disrupt supply chains. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for 20% of the world’s oil, remains a focal point. If the strait remains closed, oil prices could surge past $100 a barrel, pushing gas prices above $4 nationwide. The U.S. oil boom, driven by fracking since the 2000s, has softened the impact of global shocks. Fracking, which involves injecting water to extract oil from shale, transformed the U.S. into a global oil leader. By 2018, production surpassed Russia and Saudi Arabia, and output grew 167% from 2008, the largest expansion since World War II. This surge has prevented prices from skyrocketing during crises like the Russia-Ukraine war. However, the U.S. produces oil suited for gasoline but not for diesel or other fuels. This reliance on imports for heavier crude and refined products means domestic production alone can’t fully insulate consumers. Traders now weigh global supply and demand, with the Middle East conflict driving prices higher. Despite Iran’s modest output of 3.5 million barrels per day, its oil flows into markets, particularly China. Cutting off Iranian supply forces buyers to seek alternatives, inflating global prices. Recent events, like fires at UAE oil facilities, underscore the fragility of energy infrastructure.#iran #united_states #middle_east #strait_of_hormuz #fracking

NFL Free Agency Approaches as Trade Activity Intensifies The NFL news cycle is accelerating as teams prepare for the start of free agency on March 12, with multiple trades and player releases shaping the landscape. With less than a week remaining before the legal tampering period begins on March 9, teams are making strategic moves to adjust to the salary cap, which is set at $301.2 million per club. Among the most significant developments is the reported trade of star wide receiver D.J. Moore from the Chicago Bears to the Buffalo Bills. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bills will send a 2026 second-round draft pick to the Bears in exchange for Moore, along with a 2026 fifth-round pick. Moore, who struggled under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, posted career lows in catches and receiving yards despite playing all 17 games for the Bears. The Las Vegas Raiders are also expected to release quarterback Geno Smith, barring a trade, to free up $8 million in salary cap space while assuming $18.5 million in dead money. Smith’s lone season with the Raiders was marked by a league-high 17 interceptions, and his performance contributed to the team’s 3-14 record. The move aligns with the Raiders’ efforts to address cap constraints, as they will also reportedly release other veterans, including Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, Vikings’ Aaron Jones and Javon Hargrave, and Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Other notable transactions include the Houston Texans acquiring running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions in exchange for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and draft picks. The Texans also plan to trade starting right tackle Tytus Howard to the Cleveland Browns, who have agreed to a $63 million, three-year extension for Howard.#buffalo_bills #chicago_bears #nfl_free_agency #d_j_moore #ben_johnson

Why Bitcoin suffered a $110 billion wipeout despite its best week of Wall Street news in months #Wall_Street #Bitcoin #Wall #billion_wipeout #Bitcoin_suffered

Bills Agree to Acquire Bears WR DJ Moore, Sources Say The Buffalo Bills have reached an agreement to acquire Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore in a trade, according to sources close to the deal. The transaction involves the Bills sending a 2026 second-round draft pick to the Bears in exchange for Moore and a 2026 fifth-round selection. The trade is expected to be finalized once the new NFL league year begins next week. Moore, who turns 29 on April 14, will join the Bills as part of their efforts to bolster their wide receiver corps. The deal includes guaranteed portions of Moore’s contract, with the Bills committing to $15.5 million of his $23.5 million base salary for 2028. His 2026 salary, also $23.5 million, is fully guaranteed, and his 2027 base salary becomes fully guaranteed next week. Moore’s move to Buffalo comes after a season of fluctuating performance with the Bears. During his first year with Chicago in 2023, he had a career year, recording 1,364 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. However, his production dipped in subsequent seasons, partly due to changes in the Bears’ offense, playcallers, and quarterback. In 2024, he led the team with 98 catches for 966 yards, but his role diminished in 2025 as younger players like Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III emerged. The trade also marks a reunion between Moore and Bills head coach Joe Brady, who previously coached him with the Carolina Panthers in 2020 and 2021. Brady, now in his first season with Buffalo, will have the opportunity to implement his offensive strategies with Moore, a player known for his route-running and ability to make big plays. The Bills’ decision to acquire Moore reflects their need for consistency at the wide receiver position.#buffalo_bills #chicago_bears #dj_moore #joe_brady #josh_allen

Former Hawaii Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa Dies at 74 Former U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa passed away at the age of 74 after a private battle with cancer. Born in 1951 in Waianae, Hawaii, Hanabusa built a long career in public service, serving in the Hawaii State Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation. Her death was announced by her family, who described her as a dedicated advocate for local communities. Hanabusa’s political career began in the Hawaii State Senate, where she was elected in 1998. She became the state’s first female Senate president in 2007, a milestone that marked her growing influence in Hawaiian politics. Early in her tenure, she challenged the results of the 1998 gubernatorial race, which Ben Cayetano won narrowly over Linda Lingle. Her activism continued when she led efforts to remove Cayetano’s Attorney General, Margery Bronster, after Bronster ousted politically connected trustees of the Bishop Estate. In 2010, Hanabusa was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District. Her political career took a pivotal turn in 2012 when U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye, who was dying at the time, asked Governor Neil Abercrombie to appoint her to his Senate seat. Abercrombie instead selected his lieutenant governor, Brian Schatz, a decision political analyst Colin Moore called “a rejection of the Inouye era.” Hanabusa later lost her 2014 bid to unseat Schatz in the Senate. After the death of U.S. Representative Mark Takai in 2016, Hanabusa returned to Congress, where she championed the Honolulu rail system. Moore noted her political strength lay in her ability to operate as an inside strategist rather than a public communicator.#colleen_hanabusa #ben_cayetano #margery_bronster #daniel_inouye #neil_abercrombie

Former US Rep. Colleen Hanabusa Dies At 74 Colleen Hanabusa, a former U.S. representative from Hawaiʻi, passed away on Thursday at the age of 74. She served in the House of Representatives twice, from 2011 to 2015 and again from 2016 to 2019. Governor Josh Green issued a directive on Friday for the U.S. flag and the Hawaiʻi state flag to be flown at half-staff at the state Capitol, all state offices, and Hawaiʻi National Guard facilities in her honor until sunrise on Monday. In a press release, Green expressed his condolences, stating, “Colleen Hanabusa dedicated her life to serving the people of Hawaiʻi — from the Waiʻanae Coast she proudly called home, to the halls of the Hawaiʻi State Capitol and the United States Congress. She broke barriers as the first woman to serve as President of the Hawaiʻi State Senate and spent decades advocating for her community with strength, determination and heart. Her legacy of leadership and public service will continue to inspire generations to come.” Hanabusa’s political career spanned several decades. She served as a state senator from 1999 to 2010, representing a district on Oʻahu’s Waiʻanae Coast, where her family had lived for generations. During her tenure, she became the first woman to hold the position of Senate president, a role she occupied for two years. She also ran for the U.S. Senate in 2014, for Hawaiʻi governor in 2018, and for mayor of Honolulu in 2020, though none of these campaigns were successful. In recent years, Hanabusa held prominent roles in local governance. She chaired the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, a position she resigned from in September 2025. She also served on the State Salary Commission. As an attorney, she was known for her commitment to public service and community advocacy.#colleen_hanabusa #josh_green #hawai_i #wai_anae_coast #honolulu_authority_for_rapid_transportation

Michelle Obama Says Trump's Antics Wouldn't Fly From Her Family Michelle Obama criticized President Donald Trump’s behavior during a segment of her “IMO Podcast,” comparing the standards expected of the first Black family in the White House to the disciplined approach of baseball legend Jackie Robinson. Speaking with comedian Conan O’Brien, Obama reflected on her family’s experience during their time in the White House, emphasizing how their actions were scrutinized under intense public pressure. She argued that Trump’s conduct would not have been tolerated if it had come from her family, highlighting the stark contrast in how leaders of color are held to different standards than their white counterparts. Obama recounted a story from her time at a military base in the Middle East, where she and her husband, former President Barack Obama, were the first Black family to occupy the White House. O’Brien mentioned how the Obamas had to navigate strict protocols, with every detail meticulously handled to avoid controversy. Obama expanded on this, stating that the Obamas’ ability to maintain high standards was a necessity for their role. “It wasn’t difficult to follow rules; it wasn’t difficult to have high standards,” she said. “In order to get where we are, you don’t get here without being damn near perfect.” She contrasted this with Trump’s repeated failures and lack of accountability, suggesting that such behavior would not be accepted from a Black family in the same position. “We don’t get to fail two, three, five, seven times,” Obama said. “We don’t get to file bankruptcy over and over again and still be considered a successful business person.” She emphasized that every detail must be precise, with no room for mistakes, a standard she believed Trump’s actions repeatedly violated.#michelle_obama #barack_obama #conan_obrien #jackie_robison #kamala_harris