News Wrap: Trump seeking $1.5 trillion for military spending in new budget

## Summary
In our news wrap Friday, President Trump is asking for $1.5 trillion in defense spending for the upcoming financial year, March was a strong month for the jobs market even as soaring energy prices from the war in Iran had many Americans on edge and Ukrainian officials say that Russian airstrikes killed at least eight people, in what President Zelenskyy denounced as an "Easter escalation." Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. Amna Nawaz: In the day's other headlines: President Trump is asking for $1.5 trillion in defense spending for the upcoming financial year. Ukrainian officials say that massive Russian airstrikes today killed at least eight people in what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced as an Easter escalation. In Cuba, the first of more than 2,000 prisoners were released today after the government issued a sweeping amnesty amid ongoing tensions with the Trump administration.

## Article Content
In our news wrap Friday, President Trump is asking for $1.5 trillion in defense spending for the upcoming financial year, March was a strong month for the jobs market even as soaring energy prices from the war in Iran had many Americans on edge and Ukrainian officials say that Russian airstrikes killed at least eight people, in what President Zelenskyy denounced as an "Easter escalation."

Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors.

Amna Nawaz:

In the day's other headlines: President Trump is asking for $1.5 trillion in defense spending for the upcoming financial year. That's according to details released by the White House today.

The request is more than 40 percent more than last year's spending and is the largest of its kind in decades. The plan also includes continued funding for Trump's immigration crackdown, plus money to hire air traffic controllers and billions of dollars for beautification projects in Washington, D.C.

The plan would also cut funding for things like renewable energy projects, housing and health programs. The budget now goes to Congress for consideration, but, on its own, it offers a blueprint for the president's priorities moving forward.

March was a surprisingly strong month for the U.S. jobs market, even as soaring energy prices from the war in Iran had many Americans on edge. The Labor Department said today that employers added 178,000 new jobs last month. That's about triple what many economists had expected and comes after a loss of 133,000 jobs in February.

The unemployment rate also dipped slightly to 4.3 percent, though uncertainty about the longer-term impacts of the war is casting a shadow over the broader jobs outlook.

Ukrainian officials say that massive Russian airstrikes today killed at least eight people in what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced as an Easter escalation. Outside of Kyiv, a Russian drone set an apartment block on fire, while, in Northwestern Ukraine, local authorities say another attack damaged several buildings and killed at least one.

Ukrainian officials claim that Russia's recent use of daytime attacks is meant to increase the risk to civilians. For its part, Russia's Defense Ministry says that at least 192 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight, though no damage was reported.

In Cuba, the first of more than 2,000 prisoners were released today after the government issued a sweeping amnesty amid ongoing tensions with the Trump administration. A steady stream of men and women could be seen leaving a prison outside Havana today as the results of what state TV described as a -- quote -- "humanitarian and sovereign gesture" by officials.

Few details were provided about the identities of the released or what crimes they are accused of committing. For those walking free, it was a day to celebrate.

Jose Angel Calderon, Released Prisoner (through interpreter):

We received the news this morning. They called our names from a list. I am happy and overjoyed to be able to share this news with my mother.

Harold Baez, Released Prisoner (through interpreter):

I'm thankful for this gesture, as it gives the opportunity to rebuild my life and rejoin society.

Amna Nawaz:

The release comes as the country grapples with an ongoing economic crisis made worse by the Trump administration's limited oil blockade. The arrival this week of a shipment of Russian oil allowed by the U.S. is providing some relief, and Moscow says another tanker is being sent soon.

The Artemis II astronauts are zooming closer to the moon, and their view along the way is something to behold. NASA released the first images of Earth taken by the crew. In this one, our blue planet peeks through one of the capsule windows, and, in another, the globe in all its glory. NASA said the Northern Lights were visible, and that white glow is the sun being eclipsed by the Earth.

Reid Wiseman, Artemis II Mission Commander:

You can see the entire globe from pole to pole.

Amna Nawaz:

Last night, mission commander Reid Wiseman said the site stopped the four-member crew in their tracks. They should fly by the moon by Monday.

Back on Earth, NASA officials said the mission is going well and called it an important stepping-stone for future moon flights.

Judd Frieling, Flight Director, Artemis II:

We're going back to the moon. We're going to stay there, right? And so this is the first step towards that. We will obviously build upon that. We will get eyes on the moon, kind of map it out, and then continue to go back, and in force.

Amna Nawaz:

Those lunar aspirations come despite plans by the White House to trim NASA's budget. Officials are proposing a $5.6 billion cut next year. That's 23 percent below this year's spending.

Wall Street was closed today for Good Friday after a rough few weeks for stocks due to the Iran war. Trading will resume on Monday.

In the meantime, in Rome today, Pope Leo marked Good Friday by carrying a

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- In our news wrap Friday, President Trump is asking for $1.5 trillion in defense spending for the upcoming financial year, March was a strong month for the jobs market even as soaring energy prices from the war in Iran had many Americans on edge and Ukrainian officials say that Russian airstrikes killed at least eight people, in what President Zelenskyy denounced as an "Easter escalation." Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy.
- March was a surprisingly strong month for the U.S. jobs market, even as soaring energy prices from the war in Iran had many Americans on edge.
- Back on Earth, NASA officials said the mission is going well and called it an important stepping-stone for future moon flights.

### Areas for Consideration
- Ukrainian officials claim that Russia's recent use of daytime attacks is meant to increase the risk to civilians.

### Implications
- They may contain errors.
- A steady stream of men and women could be seen leaving a prison outside Havana today as the results of what state TV described as a -- quote -- "humanitarian and sovereign gesture" by officials.
- They should fly by the moon by Monday.
- Back on Earth, NASA officials said the mission is going well and called it an important stepping-stone for future moon flights.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers today, officials, released topics. Notable strengths include discussion of today. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 911.