Inflation took a breather in July

Plus, an airstrike rocks Crimea.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

Inflation cooled in the US in July; Ukraine reportedly strikes an air base in Russian-occupied Crimea.   Tonight's Sentences was written by Jariel Arvin. TOP NEWS What to know about July inflation Angela Weiss /AFP via Getty Images Inflation eased slightly in July compared to a year ago, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report released Wednesday. [CNN / Martha C. White] The difference in the consumer price index compared to last July was 8.5 percent; high, but an improvement over the 9.1 percent difference between June 2021 and 2022. For the first time in over two years, month-to-month inflation was 0 percent. [Associated Press / Christopher Rugaber] The report comes as the Federal Reserve Bank is working to tamp down demand and rein in inflation by raising interest rates. [New York Times / Jeanna Smialek] Energy prices fell 4.6 percent in July, while the cost of gas fell 7.7 percent after reaching record highs the month before. Airfares dropped nearly 8 percent. [Washington Post / Rachel Siegel] However, housing and food costs grew in July: Rent increased by 0.4 percentage points monthly, while grocery prices increased 1.3 percent. Both are expected to remain problems for American consumers. [USA Today / Paul Davidson] Did Ukraine strike Russian-held Crimea? Wednesday, Ukraine said nine Russian aircraft were destroyed in blasts at an air base in occupied Crimea. [AP / Susie Blann] Russia initially downplayed the damage from the explosions. However, the Russia-backed leader of Crimea said the blasts killed one person, forced hundreds to flee, and damaged dozens of buildings. [NYT / Richard Pérez-Peña and Christiaan Triebert] Ukraine hasn't publicly claimed responsibility for the strikes. However, a Ukrainian official told the Washington Post that special forces carried out the attack. [Washington Post / Isabelle Khurshudyan, Liz Sly, and Adela Suliman] Two Ukrainian military officials claimed the strikes were the start of a counteroffensive to take back the south from Russia. [Politico / Christopher Miller] MISCELLANEOUS Former President Donald Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a New York deposition; the state is investigating the Trump Organization's financial practices. [Insider / Sonam Sheth and Laura Italiano] A Minnesota county will pay eight minority corrections officers $1.5 million after a jail prevented them from guarding Derek Chauvin, the man who killed George Floyd, because they weren't white. [Washington Post / Holly Bailey] Wednesday, President Joe Biden signed legislation to help veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits while serving in the military. [CNN / Kate Sullivan] Sixty-three percent of Americans support electing presidents via popular vote, according to a Pew survey. [NPR / Ayana Archie]   Support our journalism   Reader contributions help keep newsletters like Sentences free for all. Support our work with a one-time gift today. Give VERBATIM "These kinds of swings should be a reminder of how far our economy is right now from some semblance of normal. We should take a deep breath today but not do a victory dance." [Claudia Sahm, founder of Sahm Consulting and former Federal Reserve economist / Washington Post] LISTEN TO THIS Meet the New Right The newest conservative dissidents want to radically reshape the Republican party and American democracy. Journalist James Pogue explains the confounding movement, which includes Senate candidates Blake Masters and J.D. Vance.   Listen now   ▶ Read more from Vox The search for an AC that doesn't destroy the planet It's Bama Rush season already? 3 winners and 1 loser from the Minnesota, Wisconsin, Vermont, and Connecticut primaries The Republican response to the Mar-a-Lago raid should scare you It's okay to be envious. It can even be a good thing. This email was sent to vox@quicklydone.com. Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe. If you value Vox's unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring contribution.   View our Privacy Notice and our Terms of Service.   Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 12, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved.