Inflation in the US reaches its highest rate since 1981.
The US Department of Labor has announced that prices in the United States rose at the highest rates since 1981 by a full 8.5 percent by the end of March, as Russian aggression in Ukraine increased energy costs.
The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) figure comes after rising 7.9 percent until February, the fastest annual inflation rate in 40 years.
Driven by ongoing problems in supply chains, by strong demand and energy prices, inflation is now at levels unknown to the US since Ronald Reagan took over the White House from Jimmy Carter.
Rising prices have affected rent, gas and food costs and are bringing a lot of hardship to lower-income Americans.
Rising gas prices are the main cause of inflation. The gasoline index rose 18.3 percent in March and accounts for more than half of the monthly growth of all items. The food index rose 1 percent in March compared to February and 8.8 percent compared to the same period last year.
The White House warned before the release of the report that it expected the figures would not be positive.