White House economists estimate the United States has a shortage of 10 million houses. That's according to a report out Monday. It says more construction would lower prices, increase home ownership and fuel faster economic growth. President Donald Trump's approval ratings have slumped because of concerns over his handling of the economy. Trump has taken some steps to make it easier to build houses, but he's been slow to embrace other measures. The new report is from the White House Council of Economic Advisers. It lays out a blueprint for how more construction could help the middle class and the economy, setting up an argument Trump could make to voters.

The largest monthly jump in gas prices in six decades caused a sharp spike in inflation in March, creating major challenges for the inflation-fighters at the Federal Reserve and heightening the political challenges of rising costs for the White House. The gas price shock stemming from the Iran war has shifted inflation's trajectory, from a slow, gradual decline to a sharp increase further away from the Fed's 2% target. As a result, the central bank will almost certainly postpone any cut in interest rates for months. Gas prices are also a highly visible cost that has outsize impacts on consumer confidence and political sentiment.

American employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 new jobs last month, rebounding from a dismal February. And the unemployment rate dipped to 4.3%. The Labor Department reported Friday that hiring marked a rebound from the loss of 133,000 jobs in February. The job gains were about three times what economists had forecast. The unemployment rate was down from 4.4% in February. But uncertainty surrounding the war with Iran — and its impact on energy prices — is clouding the outlook for the labor market.

U.S. gas prices are climbing fast, and drivers are paying the highest pump prices since 2022 as the Iran war shakes oil markets. Many drivers face wild swings between stations and even from one day to the next. The Energy Information Administration says about half the price covers crude oil, and about 20% goes to refiners. Taxes take nearly 20%. Experts say retailers earn slim margins that get tighter when prices at the pump rise. Oil prices soared when U.S. markets opened Thursday, hours after President Donald Trump's speech on continuing the Iran war in which he asked Americans for patience.

U.S. gas prices have jumped past an average of $4 a gallon for the first time since 2022 as fuel prices continue to soar worldwide amid the Iran war. According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is now $4.02 — over a dollar more expensive than before the war began on Feb. 28, marking the largest monthly jump the motor club has seen on record. As drivers pay more to cover necessities like gas, many households may be forced to cut their budgets in other places. And as businesses face higher transportation costs, prices of things like groceries and other goods people buy each day could also rise.

Sharply swinging oil prices have left consumers feeling the effects of the Iran war and its damage to worldwide energy production. Gasoline prices are climbing. Many people will find some of the most immediate economic pain at the pump. But not only drivers will be affected. Nearly all goods that are bought and sold must travel from where they're produced. That includes food. Those costs will climb with higher gasoline, diesel and jet fuel prices. Heating a home and cooking with natural gas are likely to cost more as the war grinds on. And the spike in oil prices will likely be a big factor for U.S. inflation. As the war continues, some experts say the price of everything could be affected.

Oil and gasoline prices are rising as the war in Iran intensifies and other global conflicts affect supply. That means pain at the pump for drivers filling up with gas. But electric vehicle drivers are largely unaffected by spikes in oil prices. Electricity prices — even as different grids have different power mixes — are more regulated. Experts say prolonged high gas prices may drive some EV interest and sales. Car-buying resource Edmunds says it has seen an uptick in people researching EVs and hybrids. But the experts also say just how far that will go is unclear. And in the U.S., significant incentives to buy EVs have gone away.