News Wrap: Inflation report shows the biggest increase since 2024

[0:00] And we start the day's other headlines with consumer prices. [0:02] The latest inflation report confirms what many Americans have surely been feeling, [0:07] that prices are rising fast, especially for gas. [0:10] The Labor Department said today that prices rose 3.3% from a year ago, [0:15] the biggest such increase since 2024. [0:18] That was driven largely by gas prices, which saw their largest monthly rise in six decades. [0:24] If you take out energy and food, though, so-called core inflation, [0:27] rose only slightly last month. [0:30] It comes as a separate report showed consumer sentiment plunging to a record low [0:34] amid concerns about the war and higher gas prices. [0:38] The four Artemis astronauts are on track for a splashdown tonight off the coast of San Diego, [0:44] closing out humanity's first lunar voyage in more than half a century. [0:50] NASA Ground Control woke up the crew this morning with two songs, [0:57] including Free by the Zac Brown Band. [1:00] The singer-songwriter praised what he called their courage and grit. [1:05] This is Mission Control Houston, a pair of wake-up songs to mark the start of the day. [1:11] All eyes are on the Orion capsule and its life-protecting heat shield [1:21] as it must withstand temperatures of thousands of degrees. [1:25] It's one of the most dangerous parts of the mission. [1:28] Meantime, back on Earth, U.S. Navy recovery ships, military planes, [1:31] and helicopters spent the day preparing to pick up the crew after the splashdown. [1:36] The Trump administration released its latest plans today for a new triumphal arch in Washington, D.C. [1:42] It's the president's latest effort to leave a lasting mark on the nation's capital [1:47] and reshape the capital in his image. [1:49] The renderings depict a 250-foot structure with a winged figure at the top, [1:54] flanked by two eagles and guarded by four lions. [1:58] The monument would have the phrases one nation under God and liberty and justice for all inscribed on either side. [2:05] The White House says it's intended to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary [2:09] and would be paid for at least in part by taxpayer dollars. [2:13] A federal panel stacked with Trump allies will consider the design at a meeting next week. [2:19] Starting in December, all men between the ages of 18 and 25 will be automatically registered for the military draft. [2:26] They'll be added into the Selective Service System. [2:29] That's the independent government agency that keeps a list of all eligible Americans. [2:34] For decades, the majority of men would register themselves or face a felony. [2:39] Congress tucked the rule change into a bipartisan defense bill that President Trump signed into law late last year. [2:45] It comes as enrollment has slipped in recent years, [2:48] even as worries about conflicts with nations like China and Russia have grown. [2:52] There has not been a military draft since the Vietnam War. [2:57] Russia and Ukraine are preparing for a brief ceasefire this weekend to mark Orthodox Easter. [3:03] Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary truce yesterday. [3:06] It's set to begin tomorrow afternoon and last for about 32 hours. [3:10] Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky pointed out that he had already proposed such a pause [3:14] and that his forces would act accordingly. [3:16] But across Ukraine today, from its capital, Kyiv, to the Russian-controlled areas of the Donetsk region, [3:24] people on both sides of the war were skeptical it would hold. [3:27] How can you trust a man who destroyed his own people, attacked Ukraine, and is basically the number one terrorist? [3:36] How can you trust Putin? He lies. [3:41] We have no other choice but defeat this plague because it will not leave us alone. [3:45] Ukraine will keep doing nasty things to us. [3:48] It is their way. [3:49] Whenever there is a sacred feast, they always do something bad. [3:53] Meantime, the fighting continued today. [3:55] In the southern port city of Odessa, Ukrainian officials say Russian drones struck electrical [4:01] and energy infrastructure, causing a massive blaze. [4:04] No casualties were reported. [4:06] Today marks six months since the ceasefire in Gaza took effect, [4:10] but displaced residents remain in limbo with aid trickling in through a single border post controlled by Israel. [4:16] And in northern Gaza today, Palestinians once again mourned loved ones killed in an Israeli attack. [4:23] Medics say an Israeli airstrike killed at least two people yesterday. [4:28] Israel's military has yet to comment on the incident. [4:31] Some Palestinians say this is their new normal, [4:34] and that despite the ceasefire, danger and uncertainty persists. [4:37] Every day is the same. [4:41] Every day martyrs. [4:42] Every day injuries. [4:44] Every day we lose someone dear to us. [4:47] Our place has become sitting at the doors of the morgue. [4:51] We sit there daily. [4:53] Also today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Spain is being expelled [4:58] from peacekeeping efforts in Gaza, saying the country has, in his words, [5:02] chosen repeatedly to stand against Israel. [5:04] Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been an outspoken critic of the U.S. [5:09] and Israel's war with Iran, calling it, quote, illegal, reckless, and unjust. [5:15] On Wall Street today, stocks ended mixed ahead of those Iran ceasefire talks this weekend. [5:20] The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped about 270 points on the day. [5:24] The Nasdaq managed a gain of about 80 points. [5:27] The S&P 500 closed out the week with a minor loss. [5:31] And former New York Congressman Elliot Engel has died. [5:34] The Democrat was first elected in 1988 and spent 16 terms in Congress, [5:40] where he rose to be ranking member and chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. [5:45] Before that, he was a member of the New York State Assembly for over a decade [5:49] and is being remembered today as a giant of New York politics. [5:52] In a statement, his family says Elliot Engel died peacefully today in the borough that raised him, [5:58] the Bronx. [5:59] He was 79 years old. [6:00] Still to come on the NewsHour, the specter of massive job losses to artificial intelligence [6:05] increases economic concerns. [6:08] How people in Israel have been marking Easter in the shadow of war. [6:12] And David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart weigh in on the week's news. [6:15] This is the PBS NewsHour from the David M. Rubenstein Studio at WETA in Washington, [6:25] headquarters of PBS News. [6:26] Support journalism you trust. [6:32] Support PBS News. [6:34] Donate now, or even better, start a monthly contribution today.