TRACK ENERGY

“Consumer prices in March were up 3.3% from a year ago. That's the biggest annual increase in almost two years. Prices jumped nine tenths of a percent between February and March with a spike in gasoline prices accounting for nearly three quarters of that increase.”

“High level talks are set to begin in Pakistan this weekend as US and Iranian officials meet to discuss a ceasefire plan. Security is tight in Islamabad where authorities are locking down parts of the capital ahead of the meetings.”

“The cash strapped US Postal Service is seeking approval to raise the price of first class mail beginning in July. The agency received temporary approval to raise prices for priority mail deliveries later this month by 8% to offset the cost of fuel.”

“Returning from space is risky. The spacecraft will reach speeds up to 25,000 miles per hour and could experience temperatures of up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit once it hits the atmosphere. It will take thirteen minutes for the capsule to splash down under a canopy of parachutes.”

“Lufthansa flights are facing a major disruption today after cabin crew staged another one day strike. Operations at Frankfurt and Munich airports have been hit especially hard with tens of thousands of passengers affected by delays and cancellations.”

“NASA administrator Jared Isaacman, who went to space twice as a private astronaut, was on the ship with workers from the US Navy and NASA. It was the first time that the US Navy and NASA had teamed up for a spacecraft recovery since the end of the Apollo lunar program in 1972.”

“The head of Iran's forensic medical agency says the country's death toll in the war over the past six weeks has surpassed three thousand. Additionally, 857 schools, 32 universities, and 338 hospitals were damaged or destroyed by air strikes, according to the Iranian Red Crescent.”

“Consumer prices in March were up 3.3% from a year ago. That's the biggest annual increase in almost two years. Prices jumped nine tenths of a percent between February and March with a spike in gasoline prices accounting for nearly three quarters of that increase. Gas prices have jumped by more than a dollar a gallon since The US and Israel launched their war on Iran.”

“It found forty one percent of traded mammals shared at least one pathogen with humans, while just 6% of non traded ones did. And the longer humans have been trading animals, the more viruses they share. For every decade in the wildlife trade, an additional new pathogen jumps to humans.”

“The FAA says antidrone lasers can now be used along The US Southern border. Earlier this year, the agency had shut down airspace in some parts of Texas after the Pentagon deployed the lasers. Now the FAA and Pentagon have signed an agreement that outlines the safety precautions that will be employed.”

“Vice president JD Vance is in Islamabad today leading a US delegation for high level talks aimed at stabilizing a fragile ceasefire between The US and Iran. The agreement reached this week is already being tested with tensions lingering between the two sides. Officials say the next two weeks will be critical in determining whether the ceasefire can hold.”

“Lebanese president Joseph Aoun says the Lebanese ambassador in Washington had a phone call Friday with the Israeli ambassador there. It's the first official contact between the two countries since 1983. Aoun says there will be face to face talks Tuesday at the state department focusing on a ceasefire.”

“A sharp spike in gasoline prices during the war triggered a surge of inflation last month. Consumer prices in March were up 3.3% from a year ago. That's the biggest annual increase in twenty two months. Stripping out volatile energy and food prices, core inflation was 2.6%, high enough to make the Federal Reserve cautious about additional cuts to interest rates.”

“McIlroy was on fire on the back nine. He had back to back birdies on the twelfth and thirteenth holes, then ended with a flourish. Four straight birdies to wrap up the round, including a remarkable 90 foot chip shot from off the green that rolled in. McIlroy's six stroke lead is the largest after two rounds in Masters history.”

“The Trump administration has released plans for a massive arch to be built in Washington DC. The project is meant to mark the nation's two hundred fiftieth anniversary in July, though details on funding and approval remain unclear. Critics say the proposal would mark a significant departure from how sitting presidents typically approach public memorials.”

“I'm kind of in shock. I wanted to feed Mundy and Tara close together. And so I fed Tara over here. She picked up her food and brought it right over to the fence line here so she could be eating with Mundy. So you tell me what that means. I think that is really good.”

“The dominant political story of the year has been the 270-day-long speakership of Representative Kevin McCarthy, whose slim majority in the House of Representatives has enabled a far-right rebellion to exert more weight over the lower chamber. The battle between the rebellious Freedom Caucus and McCarthy has been at the heart of an averted debt ceiling crisis and the annual budget debate nearly devolving into a government shutdown.”

“2023 also saw the roots of a global banking crisis arise out of four American regional banks, the two largest being Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic Bank. 2021's inflation surge moderated in 2023, while the Federal Reserve continued to raise its interest rates in the first half of the year.”

“The rise of artificial intelligence and large language models dominated not only the economy but has also been at the root of a Hollywood double strike conducted by Writers Guild of America and a SAG APTRA strike, these were part of a larger phenomenon of labor strikes across the country, in which such large diverse groups, such as Teamsters and Auto Workers won new contracts.”

“Additionally, the latter half of the year saw many large mergers and acquisitions, some of the largest announcements being in oil and gas with ExxonMobil's purchase of Pioneer Natural Resources for nearly $60 billion and Chevron's acquisition of Hess Corporation for $50 billion, both in October and pending regulatory approval prior to closure.”

“President Trump said on Truth Social that dozens of planes took part in the operation to save the airmen after his F-15 fighter jet was hit over western Iran on Friday. The plane's pilot was quickly rescued, but the weapons officer, an Air Force colonel, had to go into hiding. Trump wrote, quote, This brave warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran. US rescue aircraft came under fire, but managed to reach the airmen and fly him out of the country.”

“President Trump warned Iran today in a profane written post on social media that the US will attack key Iranian economic and infrastructure installations Tuesday. This, if no deal, is agreed to before then to keep open the key strait of Hormuz. On NBC's Meet the Press, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine criticized the president.”

“The governor of Russia's northwestern Leningrad region said Ukrainian drones caused a fuel leak at the Baltic Sea port of Primorsk, the latest in a series of attacks that have slowed shipments of oil out of one of Russia's largest export hubs. Separately, authorities in the Nizhny Novgorod region to the east of Moscow reported Ukrainian drone strikes caused a massive fire at one of Russia's largest oil refineries.”

“The uptick in attacks comes as part of a wider Ukrainian effort to limit Russia's financial windfall from the US and Israel's decision to attack Iran. That war has brought soaring global energy prices and new customers for Russian oil and gas at a moment when Russia's economy had been struggling due to Western sanctions.”

“The president and Secretary Hegseth's rhetoric about no mercy, no quarter, death from above, the bombing of the Stone Ages, this kind of rhetoric is really dangerous because the likelihood of having downed pilots or others who are captured in a war like this is very high. And if you send the message that there's no quarter for the folks on the other side, that really encourages them to mistreat our folks.”

“I'm kind of in shock. I wanted to feed Mundy and Tara close together. And so I fed Tara over here. She picked up her food and brought it right over to the fence line here so she could be eating with Mundy. So you tell me what that means. I think that is really good.”

“The dominant political story of the year has been the 270-day-long speakership of Representative Kevin McCarthy, whose slim majority in the House of Representatives has enabled a far-right rebellion to exert more weight over the lower chamber. The battle between the rebellious Freedom Caucus and McCarthy has been at the heart of an averted debt ceiling crisis and the annual budget debate nearly devolving into a government shutdown.”

“The rise of artificial intelligence and large language models dominated not only the economy but has also been at the root of a Hollywood double strike conducted by Writers Guild of America and a SAG APTRA strike. These were part of a larger phenomenon of labor strikes across the country, in which such large diverse groups, such as Teamsters and Auto Workers won new contracts.”

“Additionally, the latter half of the year saw many large mergers and acquisitions, some of the largest announcements being in oil and gas with ExxonMobil's purchase of Pioneer Natural Resources for nearly $60 billion and Chevron's acquisition of Hess Corporation for $50 billion, both in October and pending regulatory approval prior to closure.”

“2023 also saw the roots of a global banking crisis arise out of four American regional banks, the two largest being Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic Bank. 2021's inflation surge moderated in 2023, while the Federal Reserve continued to raise its interest rates in the first half of the year.”

“President Trump said on Truth Social that dozens of planes took part in the operation to save the airmen after his F-15 fighter jet was hit over western Iran on Friday. The plane's pilot was quickly rescued, but the weapons officer, an Air Force colonel, had to go into hiding. Trump wrote, quote, This brave warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran.”

“President Trump warned Iran today in a profane written post on social media that the US will attack key Iranian economic and infrastructure installations Tuesday. This, if no deal, is agreed to before then to keep open the key strait of Hormuz.”

“The president and Secretary Hegseth's rhetoric about no mercy, no quarter, death from above, the bombing of the Stone Ages, this kind of rhetoric is really dangerous because the likelihood of having downed pilots or others who are captured in a war like this is very high. And if you send the message that there's no quarter for the folks on the other side, that really encourages them to mistreat our folks.”

“The governor of Russia's northwestern Leningrad region said Ukrainian drones caused a fuel leak at the Baltic Sea port of Primorsk, the latest in a series of attacks that have slowed shipments of oil out of one of Russia's largest export hubs. Separately, authorities in the Nizhny Novgorod region to the east of Moscow reported Ukrainian drone strikes caused a massive fire at one of Russia's largest oil refineries.”

“The uptick in attacks comes as part of a wider Ukrainian effort to limit Russia's financial windfall from the US and Israel's decision to attack Iran. That war has brought soaring global energy prices and new customers for Russian oil and gas at a moment when Russia's economy had been struggling due to Western sanctions.”

“President Trump late Saturday said the US military has found alive and rescued the F-15E pilot who was shot down Friday in Iran. The news comes after what's being described as a frantic effort to get the airmen out of harm's way after Iran urged citizens to assist in finding the pilot and offered a reward for his capture.”

“Finance and economy ministers from Austria, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain want the European Commission, the EU's executive body, to introduce what they call a solidarity levy on energy companies. The call comes amid soaring fuel prices sparked by the Iranian regime's closing of the Strait of Hormuz after the US and Israel launched military strikes on Iran.”

“President Trump's executive order calls for his administration to create lists of adult US citizens in each state. It also calls for banning the US. Postal Service from delivering mail and ballots to anyone not on those lists. In their lawsuits, Democrats, voting rights groups, and almost two dozen states argue the Constitution gives state legislatures and Congress, not the president, the power to set rules for federal elections.”

“Dozens of cardinals, bishops, and priests processed into a darkened St. Peter's Basilica to usher in the ancient service known as the Great Easter Vigil. Easter comes this year into a world torn by wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, and at a time of great political strife in the US.”

“A federal judge in Boston has stopped efforts by the Trump administration to collect data from universities that provide institutions that are not considering race when it comes to college admissions. The judge said the federal government probably has the right to collect the data, but he said the program was started in what he described as a rushed and chaotic way.”

“President Trump said on Truth Social that dozens of planes took part in the operation to save the airmen after his F-15 fighter jet was hit over western Iran on Friday. The plane's pilot was quickly rescued, but the weapons officer, an Air Force colonel, had to go into hiding. Trump wrote, quote, This brave warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran. US rescue aircraft came under fire, but managed to reach the airmen and fly them out of the country.”

“On this Easter Sunday, President Trump went on Truth Social this morning to threaten Iran. In a profanity-laden post, he said Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day, repeating his threat to strike Iran's critical infrastructure if Iran doesn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his Monday deadline. Trump ended the post with, praise be to Allah.”

“Easter services are mixed with funerals as Israel bombs Lebanon's south and demolishes homes there. In the Christian village of Dibil, resident Maroun Yassif tells NPR, They're under siege and being shelled. United Nations peacekeepers say they've lodged a formal protest after Israeli soldiers destroyed security cameras outside a UN base in southern Lebanon. Three UN peacekeepers were killed last month and several have been wounded.”

“Egypt said today that its foreign minister, Badr Abdel-Ati, had had phone conversations with his regional counterparts, as well as US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran's foreign minister Abbas Arakchi to discuss proposals to de-escalate the Iran war. The phone conversations follow Egypt's participation last weekend in talks with Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia on the Iran conflict, which has also triggered a rise in global fuel costs.”

“Hollywood studios and screenwriters reached an agreement yesterday on a new contract. It's for four years, a year longer than usual. The precise terms have not been disclosed. The Writers Guild issued a statement that the contract protects health care gains that were reached in 2023. The current contract expires June 30th. The swift resolution of negotiations comes in stark contrast to the last round, when Hollywood writers went on strike for months.”

“Trump said the Iranians were closing in on him, but the US forces found him first. They picked him up, flew him out of Iran. Trump says he's safe and sound, though we don't know exactly where he is or the extent of his injuries. Still a lot of details we don't know.”

“Israel often issues evacuation orders, but this attack in Beirut's coastal area of Jinnah came without warning, hitting a dense residential area near a public hospital. Health officials say a four-year-old girl was among those killed in another Israeli airstrike near the coastal city of Sidon, which has absorbed thousands of displaced people from farther south.”

“The governor of Russia's northwestern Leningrad region said Ukrainian drones caused a fuel leak at the Baltic Sea port of Primorsk, the latest in a series of attacks that have slowed shipments of oil out of one of Russia's largest export hubs. Separately, authorities in the Nizhny Novgorod region to the east of Moscow reported Ukrainian drone strikes caused a massive fire at one of Russia's largest oil refineries.”

“The Pope warned humans are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it and becoming indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people and quote repercussions of hatred. He made this Easter a passionate appeal for true peace.”

“At the weekend box office, the Super Mario Galaxy movie took the top spot with an estimated $130 million in ticket sales. That's the biggest opening of the year for a Hollywood film. The Illumination and Nintendo co-production capitalized on kids' spring break vacations, and despite mixed reviews, audiences seemed happy.”

“Trump said the Iranians were closing in on him, but the US forces found him first. They picked him up, flew him out of Iran. Trump says he's safe and sound, though we don't know exactly where he is or the extent of his injuries. Still a lot of details we don't know.”

“The governor of Russia's northwestern Leningrad region said Ukrainian drones caused a fuel leak at the Baltic Sea port of Primorsk, the latest in a series of attacks that have slowed shipments of oil out of one of Russia's largest export hubs. Separately authorities in the Nizhny Novgorod region to the east of Moscow reported Ukrainian drone strikes caused a massive fire at one of Russia's largest oil refineries.”

“This Easter, only about a dozen priests were praying inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where it's believed Jesus died and was resurrected. The Latin Patriarch's office shared this video. Last week, he was barred from entering by Israeli police citing safety restrictions. After wide criticism, a small number are back in, but no crowds.”

“The Writers Guild issued a statement that the contract protects health care gains, reached in 2023. The current contract expires June 30th. The swift resolution of negotiations comes in stark contrast to the last round when Hollywood writers went on strike for months.”

“Buckingham Palace has so far indicated that that can't and won't happen while criminal investigations into his brother Andrew's links to Epstein are underway. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest in February was for alleged misconduct in public office from his days as a trade envoy.”

“A US. Air Force officer who, along with another crew member ejected from a jet shot down in Iran on Friday, was rescued by US forces Sunday morning. Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guard, says at least five people were killed by US and Israeli forces involved in the operation.”

“Israel is now focusing on targeting Iran's steel and petrochemical industries, which are important for Iran's economy and military. Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a video statement that Israel's military strikes in Iran have destroyed the majority of Iran's capabilities to manufacture steel.”

“President Trump has given Iran until tomorrow to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about one-fifth of the world's oil supply. Or the US will strike Iran's infrastructure. Today, he renewed that threat. In profane language, he said that otherwise Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day.”

“Assuming there's actually a ceasefire and that Iran is interested in respecting it, it's going to be at least a couple of months. Reopening of the straits will be slow because it may have been mined. Also the logistics of getting all the ships that are trapped in out and the ones that are out in will be slow.”

“Repair, there's been a lot of damage to infrastructure. We don't know how bad. Takes time to get the crew in. There's also restart. A lot of the oil fields have been damaged in Iraq and in other places. You can't turn them on fast with old infrastructure, or you can damage the fields.”

“US and Israeli forces have rescued a US. Air Force officer nearly two days after his plane was shot down in a mountainous region of Iran. President Trump celebrated the news and also issued a new threat. NPR's Marlaiasson reports. Trump said the rescued officer sustained injuries, but quote, he will be just fine. This was the first time Iran has shot down a US fighter jet since the war started.”

“President Trump also issued a profane threat to Iran on Easter Sunday morning. He said starting Tuesday, the US will bomb power plants and bridges if Iran doesn't open the Strait of Hormuz. The president has issued a series of contradictory statements on the Strait, saying that it would open naturally when the war ends, or that European countries should open the Strait themselves.”

“Israel is now focusing on targeting Iran's steel and petrochemical industries, which are important for Iran's economy and military. Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a video statement that Israel's military strikes in Iran have destroyed the majority of Iran's capabilities to manufacture steel. And Saturday, Israel said it bombed a petrochemical complex needed for manufacturing missiles.”

“Gasoline prices have jumped sharply since the US and Israel launched their war against Iran. That's expected to push the annual inflation rate back above 3 percent when the price index for March is released on Friday. Core inflation, which strips out volatile energy and food prices, is also expected to be higher in March than it was in February.”

“The Federal Reserve says President Trump's tariffs have contributed to upward pressure on the price of imported goods. Stubborn inflation is making the central bank cautious about cutting interest rates. The Fed's likely to feel less pressure to lower borrowing costs after Friday's jobs report. It showed US employers added 178,000 jobs in March as the unemployment rate dipped to 4.3%.”

“Trump said the rescued officer sustained injuries, but quote, he will be just fine. This was the first time Iran has shot down a US fighter jet since the war started. President Trump also issued a profane threat to Iran on Easter Sunday morning. He said, starting Tuesday, the US will bomb power plants and bridges if Iran doesn't open the Strait of Hormuz.”

“This Easter, only about a dozen priests were praying inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where it's believed Jesus died and was resurrected. The Latin Patriarch's office shared this video. Last week, he was barred from entering by Israeli police citing safety restrictions. After wide criticism, a small number are back in, but no crowds.”

“Gasoline prices have jumped sharply since the US and Israel launched their war against Iran. That's expected to push the annual inflation rate back above 3 percent when the price index for March is released on Friday. Core inflation, which strips out volatile energy and food prices, is also expected to be higher in March than it was in February.”

“A recent national survey from Common Sense Media, the nonprofit group that focuses on kids and concerns about media, found that 36% of boys aged 11 to 17 in the US have gambled in the past year. Michael Robb, Common Sense Media's head of research, notes that playing fantasy football with friends or making a Marsh Madness bracket may be harmless for kids and can help strengthen male friend groups. But for a small subset of boys, things can get out of control.”

“A huge eyedrops recall has been expanded to more than 3 million bottles nationwide. They were made by Casey Pharmaceuticals. It's a private label maker that are produced under a number of names and sold at stores around the country. They're being voluntarily recalled because of questions over the product's sterility.”