Is It Too Late To Clean Up This Oil Spill?

Iran War

Is It Too Late To Clean Up This Oil Spill?

What's going on: At the end of February, crude oil prices hovered around $70 a barrel. Three weeks later, prices spiked to nearly $120 amid the US war in the Middle East. Americans are feeling it: AAA estimates the national average at the pump is $3.88 per gallon — up 30%. Tit-for-tat attacks this week have only upped the ante. On Wednesday, Israel struck South Pars — part of the world’s largest gas field, shared by Iran and Qatar. In response, Iran hit Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, which is home to the biggest liquefied natural gas plant in the world. (Global helium supplies didn’t need this.) President Donald Trump maintains the US didn’t know about Israel’s plan — though Israeli officials tell a different story. While Israel promises not to carry out a repeat attack, experts see signs of a growing rift between the allies.

The Trump admin’s response: To ease prices at home, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US “may unsanction” roughly 140 million barrels of already-shipped Iranian oil. The catch: It would undo years of foreign policy and potentially put more money in Iran’s pocket during wartime. The US might also release more oil from its reserves, but that has provided little to no relief so far. In the meantime, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requested $200 billion for the war, saying, “it takes money to kill bad guys.”

What it means: Experts say the attacks on energy infrastructure signal a new phase in the war that threatens to reshape the global economy and supply chain. They warn that oil could hit $150 a barrel, affecting prices on food, tech, and even health care. Not helping: Analysts say oil costs likely won’t come down right away, even if the war ends today and the Strait of Hormuz reopens. But as people stress about the price at the pump, at least 13 US soldiers have died, one human rights group says more than 1,300 civilians have been killed in Iran, and more than 1 million are displaced in Lebanon.

The News in 5

🗞️ Democrats walked out in a fury halfway through a closed-door hearing with Attorney General Pam Bondi. They weren’t shy about the why.

🗞️ The Real Housewives of Capitol Hill? The surprising reason the Bravo stars are lobbying Congress.

🗞️ Step aside, ballroom drama. President Trump has even wilder plans for the White House lawn.

🗞️ One study found that ending fluoride in water could cost Medicaid $40 billion over three years to cover the costs of the extra cavities in kids. Ouch.

🗞️ Taylor Frankie Paul is speaking out after ABC canceled her season of The Bachelorette amid domestic violence allegations.

Sports

WNBA Players Score Long Overdue Raise

What's going on: WNBA athletes just proved they can win off the court, too. This week, the players’ union struck a deal with the league after months of back and forth. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, the average salary will land around $600,000 — up from roughly $120K — according to ESPN. With a new $7 million salary cap, top players will be able to score a “supermax” contract starting at $1.4 million, a dramatic leap from roughly $250K, ESPN notes. Reports also indicate that players will receive just under 20% of the league’s total revenue before expenses — a major sticking point in negotiations, as players initially asked for 40%. But it's not game over just yet: The terms still need to be finalized, and everyone still has to sign on the dotted line.

What it means: Both sides are framing this win as a “major step” forward for the league’s growth and players. Yet, there’s an asterisk next to the milestone: There’s still a major gap with the NBA and other men’s leagues. But progress is progress. As the Seattle Storm’s Nneka Ogwumike put it, the “well overdue” agreement is “changing lives in real time.” And you can see it in action already: Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson is expected to get a “supermax” $1.4 million salary (talk about balling out). There’s also a practical upside: The season will start on time. No lockout drama, no delayed tip-off — just better-paid athletes and a league that’s finally starting to pay like it believes in its own product.

Culture

The World Happiness Report Is Depressing

What's going on: Surprising absolutely no one, Finland topped the 2026 World Happiness Report for the ninth year in a row. Maybe it’s those fun sauna hats. But in reality, experts say it’s because they live in a welfare state with a more equal distribution of wealth. Other Nordic countries also cracked the top 10 (again), including Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Costa Rica deserves a round of applause for climbing its way up to fourth place. Meanwhile, the US is stuck at spot number 23. But not everyone is smiling.

The sad part: The report focused more on youth happiness than ever before, and the kids aren’t alright. Over the past decade, people under 25 in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have become less happy. Researchers link that drop to time spent online, especially for teenage girls. But it depends on how young people use it: Do they play video games for hours or learn a new skill? The survey also notes that “negative emotions are becoming more common in all global regions.” Being happy is more complex than we thought.

Related: Is the Key to Happiness Making Yourself Smaller? (The Atlantic Gift Link)

Quick Hits

🥔 As unappealing as it sounds, you actually shouldn’t peel the skin off these seven fruits and veggies for full health benefits.

💔 People are sharing their “alpine divorce” stories on social media — and they are eye-opening.

🧹 Cleaning can be a drag, but this simple method might actually make it more fun.

🍽️ It might be time to add this veggie to your daily rotation. The gut benefits are unreal.

👑 Princess Anne stepped out in a white gown she first wore as a teenager. Now, that’s timeless.

🥸 You can say a lot about Leonardo DiCaprio, but you can’t say he doesn’t rock a mustache — and now we have an idea why he grew it out.

✈️ Flights for up to 90% off — like Italy from $275 — for just $1? Say less. Only until midnight.*

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ It’s Eid al-Fitr — marking the end of Ramadan. Many Muslims celebrate with prayers, gatherings, and festive meals with loved ones. Eid Mubarak.

🗓️ Ryan Gosling’s new movie, Project Hail Mary, hits the big screen today — and it’s already breaking records.

🗓️ Bye winter — we’re collectively done with you. Hello spring. Let the hunt for a great transitional jacket begin.

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

Your Favorite Products of the Month (So Far)

You have good taste. That’s why we’re presenting you with the top five products you, our Skimm shoppers, bought and loved the most in March so far. Check out:

A pair of $25 sunglasses that happen to be a Miu Miu dupe
The softest-ever pajamas that rival more expensive versions
Baggy jeans that are actually flattering
A wireless bra with great support
Some colorful gel pens with a super-smooth glide

Know It All

Another live-action movie is in the works (whether you like it or not). Which plush toy is getting the Hollywood treatment?

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

Live Smarter

Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes.