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War in Iran sends inflation soaring and the mood of American consumers plunging

WASHINGTON (AP) — The largest monthly jump in gas prices in six decades caused a sharp spike in inflation last month, creating major challenges for the inflation-fighters at the Federal Reserve and heightening already substantial political hurdles for the White House. Consumer prices rose 3.3% in March from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Friday, up sharply from just 2.4% in February and the biggest yearly increase since May 2024. On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.9% in March from February, the largest such increase in nearly four years. It’s the first read on inflation ...

Horoscope

The Aries energy is fully vivid with yesterday’s Mars march into the sign of the ram. This point of the season is a chance for an almost dizzying momentum toward goals. The time between “I see it, I want it, I got it” is greatly shortened to the point of becoming one seamless gesture. Life is saying, “Take it.” The sky is yours. The sun is yours. The ground is yours too. ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ll be offered an opportunity. The real gift is that you’re a person people feel compelled to offer things to. The actual offerings may not a match, but your graciousness ...

Hints From Heloise

Donating newspapers and bags Dear Heloise: As a follow-up to the hint about using newspaper bags for doggie cleanup bags, I, too, use them for this purpose. However, I also donate all of my used newspapers and the majority of the bags to my local animal shelter. But do call the shelter first and ask if they take them. — Rita G., via email SEND A GREAT HINT TO: Heloise@Heloise.com FINDING YOUR CAR Dear Heloise: Store parking lots can sometimes be a very tough place to find your car. It would be a lot easier if stores would mark their rows or aisles with letters or numbers ...

Pushing to tax the rich

“Tax the rich!” shout progressives. Why not? America’s richest people are ridiculously rich. “Five bucks to you is like $6 million to billionaire Jeff Bezos!” shrieks Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Taking more from billionaires and millionaires just seems fair. That’s why Washington state passed a new “millionaire’s tax,” California will soon vote on a “billionaire’s tax,” and my mayor in NYC shouts, “increase taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers!” Don’t these politicians realize that in America, people can move? The same day Washington’s House passed ...

Bright light, sleepless nights

Dear Annie: My neighbor “Rod” installed a motion-activated floodlight that shines directly into our bedroom window every time our dog (or another animal) moves in the yard — which is often. It goes off all night long. I mentioned it once, and he said, “It’s for security,” and suggested we “get better curtains.” We already have blackout shades, but the light still leaks in around the edges. I don’t want to start a neighborhood feud, but I also haven’t slept properly in weeks. How do I get him to listen? — Blinded at Bedtime Dear Blinded at Bedtime: Ask again ...

Why Trump’s antics don’t work on allies

It is among the most familiar patterns of the Trump era. First, the president says or does something weird, rude or otherwise norm-defying. Some elected Republicans object, and the response from Trump and his minions is to shoot the messenger. The dynamic holds constant whether it’s big (January 6 pardons) or small (tweeting “covfefe” just after midnight). The essence of this low-road-for-me-high-road-for-thee dynamic rests on the belief that Trumpism is a one-way road. Insulting Trump, deservedly or not, is forbidden, while Trump’s antics should be celebrated when possible, ...