Give It to Us Strait

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.

Related: Four US Crew Members Killed After a Refueling Plane Crashed in Iraq (NYT Gift Link)

The News in 5

🗞️ The Department of Homeland Security identified the armed man who rammed a vehicle into a Detroit-area synagogue on Thursday. No staff or children were hurt, and security fatally shot the suspect.

🗞️ A suspected terrorist with ties to ISIS was killed yesterday after he opened fire in a classroom at Old Dominion University in Virginia, killing one person and wounding two.  

🗞️ One Costco member sued the wholesale retailer for a cut of tariff refunds, but will they get it? 

🗞️ Google Maps made some big changes, and of course, it relies on AI. Who remembers printing out MapQuest directions? 

🗞️ Apple’s latest update includes eight new emojis. And one perfectly sums up 2026 so far.

US News

Let Them Eat Lobster?

What’s going on: The Department of Defense might want to keep the receipts handy. A new report from watchdog group Open the Books found the Pentagon went on a truly historic shopping spree last September — dropping $93.4 billion (yes, with a “b”) on grants and contracts in a single month. That’s more than any federal agency has ever spent since at least 2008 and presumably in history. The biggest line-item? Interior design, including a $100,000 grand piano for the home of the Air Force chief of staff (he better be practicing) and $225.6 million for furniture. Then there’s the menu, including $15.1 million on ribeye steak (which experts told CNN was probably for troops on extended deployment before the Iran war began), $1 million worth of salmon, and $124,000 for ice-cream machines.

That’s… a lot: While Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s department appears to have set a record, September spending spikes are hardly new. The federal government operates under a “use-it-or-lose-it” rule that requires agencies to spend their discretionary funds before the fiscal year ends on September 30 or return the money to the Treasury. Still, for an administration that cut SNAP benefits and health-care funding, splurging $2 million on king crab isn’t a good look. The Pentagon has yet to respond to the report, but Democrats were swift to condemn the spending. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (TX) mocked the administration for claiming to care about fraud: “Make it make sense.”

Related: Senate Passes Largest Housing Affordability Package in a Decade (CNN)

Sports

Team USA Is Crashing Out at the World Baseball Classic

What's going on: The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is in full swing, and Team USA barely made it to the quarterfinals… despite having one of the most stacked rosters in years. (It’s OK, we didn’t know this tournament happens every four years, either.) Led by the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge, everyone thought America’s chances of winning first place were as good as gold. After the US lost to Japan in the 2023 final, the prevailing theory was that the players hadn’t taken it seriously — and would return this time with something to prove. But now, things have gotten messy, but maybe someone accidentally manifested this…

Who is that? Team USA’s manager Mark DeRosa. On Tuesday, DeRosa told the MLB Network that their ticket had been “punched to the quarterfinals” before his players took the field. But things haven’t played out that smoothly. The Americans lost 8-6 to Italy — a roster stacked with Italian-American players who didn’t make the US team (and kudos to the very on-brand piece of machinery in their dugout). Mamma mia. Still, it wasn’t one strike and you’re out. The team caught a break when Italy beat Mexico (boy math). Now, this could be an underdog story in the making (even though the team’s MLB contracts are collectively worth billions of dollars). The Americans face Canada tonight at 8 pm ET in Houston to decide who moves on to the semifinals.

Related: You’ll Never Guess How Much Someone Spent on an Aaron Judge Card (ESPN)

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ The National Women’s Soccer League season kicks off tonight when the Washington Spirit faces the Portland Thorns at 8 pm ET on Prime Video.  

🗓️ Reminders of Him lands in theaters — a mom, a messy past, and a shot at redemption, courtesy of Colleen Hoover. Bring tissues.

🗓️ It’s World Sleep Day. Consider it your excuse to finally romanticize your bedtime routine.

Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.

Award-Winning Sleep Products

If Daylight Saving Time is wreaking havoc on your sleep, you’re in the right place. We launched our first-ever Sleep Awards this week, packed with all the bedding, tech, supplements, and other products that’ll help you achieve those elusive eight hours. Here are some products that can help you find relief ASAP: 

• An expert-backed sleep app that’ll get you to stop scrolling

• Our insomniac editor’s go-to melatonin supplement

• A customizable pillow that’ll keep you cool and supported

Back in the Game

It’s true: The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is back, and theSkimm is again on the roster as an official media partner. What does that mean? This season, expect even more exclusive player interviews and behind-the-scenes action delivered straight to your inbox, in our Well Played newsletter (sign up here if you haven’t already), on the Well Played vodcast, and on our @WellPlayedbytheSkimm Instagram. Whether you’re new to soccer or a lifelong fan, we’ll highlight the stories worth tuning in for. Don’t miss the opening games this weekend. Let’s gooo. 

Know It All

Billie Eilish is in talks to make her acting debut for this popular book adaptation…

Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Stephanie Gallman, Molly Longman, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Marina Carver. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.