IRAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM

Iran was largely cut off from global commerce on Thursday, when the company that handles financial transactions said it was severing ties with many Iranian banks %u2014 part of an international effort to discourage Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. The action is meant to enforce European Union sanctions, as global financial transactions are impossible without using SWIFT, and will go a long way toward isolating Iran financially.

Gas prices dropped at a pretty good clip in the latter half of 2011 -- down around 20% to about $3.25. Hope you enjoyed it while it lasted, because gas is back on the rise. It's near $3.50 now, and the key trends all signal that it'll keep going higher.

Americans have grown used to oil at $100 a barrel and paying more than $3 per gallon for gas at the pump. But don't get too comfy -- the price of filling up is probably going up in 2012.

Oil prices are soaring again, but motorists don't need to worry %u2014 yet. The price of crude has jumped 22 percent since the beginning of October and is nearing $100 a barrel.