Good Morning. One strait. One conflict. And suddenly, the price of everything Americans buy could change overnight.
We also share Dua Lipa’s workout, “destination charge” fees on new cars, and Michael Jordan’s NASCAR run (forwarded this email? Join 523K readers).
TOP STORY TODAY
Oil, War, Inflation
U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend sent oil markets into turmoil. U.S. crude jumped 7.5% Monday and Brent crude spiked over 6%. Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a passageway for more than 20% of the world's daily oil demand, has largely halted as companies reroute vessels (NYT).
Americans were paying an average of $2.98 per gallon as of Sunday, but analysts warn prices could climb quickly. Every $10 increase in a barrel of oil pushes gas prices up roughly 25 cents per gallon. Wholesale gasoline prices rose 25 cents per gallon almost immediately after the strikes.
A 5-10% rise in oil prices typically adds 0.1 to 0.3 percentage points to headline inflation in the U.S. and Europe almost immediately. Analysts say the inflation impact depends largely on how long the conflict lasts and whether damage to energy infrastructure proves sustained.
Hidden Car Fees
Car buyers paid over $26 billion in "destination charges" in 2025, averaging $1,600 per vehicle. These fees, meant to cover shipping costs, have risen sharply in recent years. The Ford F-150's charge jumped from $1,695 to $2,595 between 2020 and 2025.
The fees appear on window stickers alongside other purchase costs. Automakers typically charge the same rate regardless of distance from the factory. Since 2020, the average destination charge has risen roughly $400 (KBB).
Dealers and analysts say automakers may be using these charges to offset tariff-related costs without raising official sticker prices. A 2023 lawsuit challenging the fees was dismissed in October 2024. Why is it not included in sticker price?
Blood Moon Tonight
A rare total lunar eclipse visible across North America, Australia, and New Zealand occurs Tuesday, March 3. As the full moon passes through Earth's shadow (explained), sunlight filtering through the atmosphere turns the lunar surface a deep coppery red. It will be the last such event for nearly three years.
In North America, New York and Washington D.C. viewers can catch it starting at 3:44am. West Coast viewers start at 12:44am. Australian cities see it Tuesday evening, with Sydney beginning at 10:04pm local time.
The next total lunar eclipse visible globally falls on New Year's Eve 2028. North America won't see another until June 2029. A partial eclipse occurs August 28, 2026.
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TODAY’S LIFE ADVICE
Celebrity Workouts Worth Stealing
Six celebrities, six routines worth copying. Dua Lipa travels with her yoga instructor. Hailey Bieber and Lori Harvey swear by Forma Pilates.
Dakota Johnson found her go-to during the pandemic through The Sculpt Society's dance-cardio blend (?).
Dua Lipa: Yoga
Hailey Bieber & Lori Harvey: Pilates
Dakota Johnson: Dance cardio
Kim Kardashian & Victoria Beckham: Strength training
Gwyneth Paltrow & Tracee Ellis Ross: Tracy Anderson Method (?)
Kate Middleton: Tennis
The common thread: consistency and a method they actually enjoy showing up for. Get the full breakdown on each routine here.
Science Says Own Your Embarrassing Moments
A new study of 3,000 participants found self-directed humor after minor mishaps boosts how others perceive you. Visible embarrassment often seems disproportionate to small mistakes, signaling insecurity. Researchers caution that laughter only helps when no one is harmed.
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Fun Links
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Wedding dress made of snow [Photos]
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Low calorie Snickers protein shake [Recipe]
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Healthiest and unhealthiest US cities [Lists]
Was that Jim Carrey or not? [Blog]