Vox Sentences - January's unexpected inflation spike

US inflation and consumer prices unexpectedly rose in January; the war in Ukraine begins its second year.

Tonight's Sentences was written by Jariel Arvin.

US inflation remains high. People spend anyway.

Julia Nikhinson/Getty Images

• The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure indicates US inflation and consumer spending rose more than expected in January, according to a government report released Friday. [CNN / Alicia Wallace]
• The personal consumption expenditures price index shows consumer prices and core inflation rose 0.6 percent from December to last month. It’s the fastest pace the index, which does not include energy or food prices, has grown since June. [Associated Press / Paul Wiseman]
• Consumer spending also rose 1.8 percent in January, meaning Americans continued shopping despite higher prices. [New York Times / Jeanna Smialek and Ben Casselman]
• The new figures suggest the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes to bring down prices aren’t slowing inflation as much as might be expected. [Axios / Courtenay Brown] 
• US stocks saw their biggest weekly drop in over two months Friday as investors worry inflation increases will last longer than expected. [Financial Times / Martha Muir]

One year of war in Ukraine

• Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy on Friday vowed to continue pushing for victory as Russia’s invasion entered its second year. [AP News / John Leicester, Hanna Arhirova, and Samya Kullab]
• Between 40,000 and 60,000 Russian troops have died in the war, according to UK government estimates. Over 8 million refugees have fled Ukraine while millions are trapped in the country amid ongoing fighting. [CBS News / Haley Ott]
• Friday, China called for a ceasefire and peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv. Beijing also urged the West to end sanctions against Russia. [Al Jazeera]
• Ukraine and Russia both think they can win, raising questions about what comes next and how long Western support for Kyiv will last. [Vox / Jen Kirby]

📍 If you read just one story

Vox’s Jonathan Guyer explains how the absence of an exit strategy could make Ukraine America’s next forever war. [Vox / Jonathan Guyer]

Vox explains why Section 230 — the free speech law shielding internet platforms from liability over content users post online — is under attack. [Vox / Sara Morrison]

• Cosori is recalling 2 million air fryers after receiving hundreds of reports of the appliances catching fire and overheating. [CBS News / Megan Cerullo]
• Penguin will release altered versions of Roald Dahl classics alongside the originals after receiving backlash over its efforts to change offensive language. [Washington Post / Ron Charles]
• North Korea launched four long-range missiles Friday, a day after the US and South Korea held defense training drills. [AP News / Kim Tong-Hyung]

A bird with a long beak?

Solve today's new Vox crossword puzzle, and stay tuned for more puzzles coming out Monday through Saturday.

Support our work

Reader gifts help keep Vox and newsletters like Sentences free for all. Support our work with a gift today. 

“It seems like consumers were feeling jolly in January. They spent more freely across the board, really on all items, despite inflation being higher.”

[EY Parthenon chief economist Gregory Daco on January’s inflation data / CNN] 

Another call from Ukraine

On the morning Russia invaded Ukraine, we called Yulya and Kurii. A year later, we’re calling them back.

Read more from Vox

Marvel is in a rut

The pay gap between hospital CEOs and nurses is expanding even faster than we thought

A movie trailer editor deconstructs iconic trailers

The other long Covid

What rewatching old shows teaches us about ourselves

This email was sent to you. 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 © 2023. All rights reserved.