CNN 5 Things

From CNN, I'm Ifeoma Dike with the five things you need to know for Tuesday, March 31st.

U.S. stocks rallied sharply to close out one of the roughest months and quarters in years with the Dow rising by 1,125 points. The rebound came after reports and comments from the Trump administration about potentially ending the war soon without a resolution in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has eventually shut down. A report that Iran's president had issued a statement that Tehran is ready to end the war in exchange for security guarantees sent stocks higher around midday. CNN could not immediately confirm the reports, but Iranian state media later confirmed it. Nationwide, average gas prices hit $4.02 a gallon for the first time since 2022. But the White House argued prices will, quote, "plummet" once the war is over. President Donald Trump took to social media to again criticize European countries for not stepping up more in the war and the efforts to reopen the strait. Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command says a U.S. warship carrying around 1,800 Marines is in the Indian Ocean as speculation increases over a possible U. S. ground operation. Here's Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier today addressing the possibility.

The point is to be unpredictable in that. Certainly not let anybody know what you're willing to do or not do.

More news coming up, including a First Amendment victory and a warning to moms and babies.

'A federal judge has ruled that a key part of President Trump's executive order ending funding for PBS and NPR, which was based on an editorial viewpoint, was unconstitutional. However, the ruling won't reverse the Trump-led campaign to strip NPR and PBS stations of federal funding. Last summer, Republicans in Congress rescinded federal support over objections from public media advocates. Trump's order did impact both local stations and national PBS and NPR operations leading to some layoffs and cutting back on programming, but the networks have remained on air. NPR and PBS celebrated the ruling, which could possibly lead to some funding for them in the future.

Tiger Woods has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges following a rollover crash in Florida last week. That's according to court documents filed in Martin County, Florida today. The documents show Woods is charged with driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, and that his driver's license has been suspended. Woods' attorney filed a waiver of arraignment and demand for a jury trial, meaning he doesn't have to appear in court for an initial hearing. An arrest affidavit shows Woods hit a trailer that was attached to another vehicle, causing his SUV to flip onto its driver's side. It also said that Woods had bloodshot glassy eyes with extremely dilated pupils immediately after the accident. CNN has reached out to Woods' representative for comment.

A new study found nearly 2 million premature births and tens of thousands of infant deaths worldwide in 2018 were linked to two chemicals used to make plastic more flexible. CNN's Sandy LaMotte explains.

'We're talking about chemicals called phthalates, which have long been linked to cancer, heart disease, and reproductive problems because they disrupt the body's hormone system. It's thought phthalate disrupts how the placenta functions, depriving the fetus of important nutrients. Phthalates are in cosmetics, children's toys, cling wrap, food storage containers, and so much more. To limit exposure, try to buy products labeled phthalat-free. Use glass and stainless steel containers and remove your food from plastics as quickly as possible.

Coming up, Trump's controversial White House ballroom project facing a legal setback.

A federal judge has blocked Trump's plans to continue building a massive new $400 million ballroom on the former side of the White House East Wing for now. The ruling wouldn't take effect for two weeks to give the Trump administration time to appeal. The judge says Trump didn't get approval from lawmakers to take on the project, which he says was required by federal law. Trump has maintained the project isn't subject to any oversight and that he should be able to continue with it without any serious scrutiny. The judge warned any construction above ground over the next 14 days would be at risk of being taken down because it wouldn't be in compliance, though the White House has said construction could begin as soon as April. This comes days before a key commission full of Trump loyalists is expected to greenlight the plans.

That does it for us. Our next episode drops tomorrow morning.