Inflation rises a a result of Trump’s Iran war
The jump in gasoline prices helped push U.S. inflation to 3.3% in March, marking the fastest annual pace in nearly two years, new Bureau of Labor Statistics data showed Friday. On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.9%, triple the 0.3% pace seen in February, when inflation was 2.4%, the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data showed. Gasoline prices, which rose a record 21.2% during the month, accounted for nearly three-quarters of the overall monthly increase. The increased inflation increases pressure on the Federal reserve to not cut interest rates and consider whether an increase in interest rates would be necessary.
Weekend talks in Pakistan on Iran
Vice President Vance flew to Pakistan today for talks on ending the war with Iran started by President Trump. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner also will be representing the U.S. The fragile two-week ceasefire that has been in effect has been marred by Israel attacking Lebanon and Iran attacking some of its Middle East neighbors. The ceasefire gives Iran control over the Strait of Hormuz, something it did not have before Trump started the war, and Iran has declared that the strait is now closed but has allowed a few ships to go through. About 20% of the world’s oil, natural gas and fertilizer shipments had been passing through the strait. Israel’s massive bombardment of Hezbollah and disagreements over whether Lebanon is included in the truce could still derail the meetings.
Putin orders brief ceasefire in Ukraine war
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a 36-hour ceasefire in the war he started by invading Ukraine. The ceasefire would be for the Orthodox Easter weekend beginning tomorrow. Putin issued the order unilaterally and it was not immediately known whether Ukraine would pause military action. Ukraine previously had called for a 30-day ceasefire, which Putin rejected. Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy had proposed that over the Easter holiday both sides refrain from attacking powerplants and other energy infrastructure but Russia rejected that proposal.
Melania Trump calls for public testimony from Epstein victims
First Lady Melania Trump blasted “lies linking me to the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein” in extraordinary and rare remarks from the White House on Thursday, attempting to distance herself from the convicted sex offender while calling on Congress to hold public hearings allowing his victims to testify on Capitol Hill. That call for action directly undercut ongoing messaging from her husband and the West Wing, renewing attention on a topic that was fading from public discourse amid the war with Iran. President Donald Trump and his top lieutenants have sought to downplay Epstein and his victims, repeatedly and publicly stating that the country is ready to move on.
Judge blocks Pentagon action to keep out press
A federal judge has blocked the Pentagon’s latest bid to limit press access, tearing into the Department of Defense in a stinging ruling that warned “suppression of political speech is the mark of an autocracy, not a democracy.” U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman blasted the department for attempting an end-run around his decision voiding parts of a restrictive press policy rolled out by Defense Secretary Hegseth last year, saying the Pentagon had flouted his ruling when it quickly implemented a tighter policy that kept mainstream media out and allowed right-wing media in.
Agriculture secretary ignores separation of church and state
A formal complaint has been filed by the Freedom from Religion Foundation against the trump administration’s agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins a result of a religious email sent by Rollins to the department’s employees. The Easter message from Rollins praised God and Jesus Christ saying, in part: “From the foot of the Cross on Good Friday to the stone rolled away from the now empty tomb, sin has been destroyed. Jesus has been raised from the dead. And God has granted each of us victory and new life.” The complaint calls for the email’s retraction and a stop to any further department emails that celebrate or endorse religious holidays.
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