Jobs report shows strong hiring in March, exceeding economists’ expectations
Job interview (Narisara Nami/Getty Images)
(NEW YORK) — The U.S. recorded strong job gains in March, rebounding from dismal losses a month earlier, a jobs report on Friday showed. The reading far exceeded economists’ expectations.
The U.S. added 178,000 jobs in March, according to the report, which marked a sharp increase from 133,000 jobs lost in the previous month.
The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.3% in March from 4.4% in February, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said. Unemployment remains low by historical standards.
The BLS collected survey data through the second week of March, before the full effects of the oil shock set off by the Iran war.
As in previous months, the health care sector stood out as a top source of hiring in March, adding 76,000 jobs, the BLS said. The construction sector, as well as transportation and logistics, also contributed to the surge in hiring.
Employment in the federal government continued to decline in March, shedding 18,000 jobs, the BLS said. The federal government has lost 355,000 jobs, or nearly 12% of its workforce, since October 2024, a month before President Donald Trump was elected.
The government report arrived as the war continues to drive up gasoline prices and borrowing costs, threatening a drag on the economy.
The U.S. added an average of about 15,000 jobs per month in 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data showed. That performance amounted to a sharp slowdown from 186,000 jobs added each month in 2024.
The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which began on Feb. 28, triggered one of the worst global oil shocks in decades, prompting gloomy forecasts on Wall Street of a potential U.S. recession over the coming months.
In theory, a prolonged oil shortage could drive up prices for a vast array of goods, sapping energy from consumer spending, which powers most of the nation’s economic growth.
Iran has mounted an effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime trading route that facilitates the transport of about one-fifth of the global oil supply.
The U.S. is a net exporter of petroleum, meaning the country produces more oil than it consumes. But since oil prices are set on a global market, U.S. prices move in response to swings in worldwide supply and demand.
The disruption in oil shipping has pushed U.S. crude prices above $110 a barrel, which marks a staggering rise of more than 50% since the war began on Feb. 28.
Gasoline prices in the U.S. ticked up to $4.08 on average per gallon as of Wednesday, marking a leap of $1.09 over the past month, AAA data showed.
A potential jump in costs for additional goods delivered through the Strait of Hormuz — such as fertilizer and diesel fuel — could also raise prices beyond gasoline, putting pressure on the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates in an effort to quell possible inflation.
The benchmark interest rate stands at a level between 3.5% and 3.75%. That figure marks a significant drop from a recent peak attained in 2023, but borrowing costs remain well above a 0% rate established at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If the Fed moved to raise interest rates, it would hike borrowing costs for many consumer and business loans, risking a slowdown in hiring.
Speaking at Harvard University on Monday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank could take a patient approach as it monitors potential price effects from the Middle East conflict.
“We feel like our policy is in a good place for us to wait and see how that turns out,” Powell said.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the time period covered by the BLS survey.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg arrives to the Los Angeles Superior Court at United States Court House on February 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Jill Connelly/Getty Images)
(LOS ANGELES) — A landmark trial over social media addiction has drawn fresh scrutiny to a decades-old legal shield: Section 230.
The case, which began last Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, centers on claims against Meta — the parent company of Facebook and Instagram — and YouTube, which is owned by Google. Plaintiffs argue the companies knowingly built features that encouraged compulsive use among young users, contributing to long-term mental health harm.
The case is the first of more than 1,500 similar lawsuits nationwide to go before a jury, potentially setting a precedent for how tech companies could be held liable for product design. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is testifying in the case on Wednesday.
The companies deny the allegations, arguing that mental health outcomes are shaped by a range of factors beyond social media use. They say they have implemented safeguards aimed at protecting young users, including parental controls and accounts designed specifically for teens.
In a statement to ABC News at the start of the trial, a Meta spokesperson said, “We strongly disagree with these allegations and are confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.”
Meta said that the company has made “meaningful changes” to its services, such as introducing accounts specifically for teenage users.
The tech giants are expected to challenge the plaintiff’s argument that there is a direct link between social media use and mental health issues. They may also invoke legal protection long-afforded by Section 230.
Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act protects social media platforms and other sites from legal liability that could result from content posted by users because they are not deemed to be publishers.
Plaintiffs have sought to circumvent that legal immunity in part by arguing that the platforms are addictive, which amounts to a defect in a product.
Section 230 grants broad protection for internet platforms, saying: “No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.”
Some tech giants, like Meta and Google, have supported reform of Section 230 that would raise the standard that platforms would need to meet in order to qualify for immunity. But the companies largely support preserving the law in some form to protect them from legal liability tied to user-generated content.
Section 230 has garnered backing from some free-speech advocacy groups such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). The measure “protects internet users’ speech by protecting the online intermediaries we rely on,” EFF said in a blog post last week, praising Section 230 as “the legal support that sustains the internet as we know it.”
In 2023, the Supreme Court issued a pair of rulings that upheld Section 230, rejecting challenges from users alleging that harm had resulted from online posts.
One of the cases, Gonzalez v. Google LLC, concerned a lawsuit brought by the family of Nohemi Gonzalez, an American woman who was killed in an ISIS terrorist attack in Paris in 2015. The lawsuit against Google, the parent company of YouTube, alleged that YouTube recommended ISIS recruitment videos to users. The high court ruled against the plaintiffs.
Many Democrats argue that Section 230 allows platforms to evade accountability for allegedly permitting harmful or misleading content, claiming the rule lets platforms off the hook for policing too little speech.
Republicans have taken issue with what they consider big tech censorship, saying the legal protection allows the platforms to police too much speech without facing consequences.
In December, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., introduced the Sunset Section 230 Act, which would remove the legal protection from federal law within two years. A bipartisan group of seven senators has signed onto the bill but it remains well short of a majority.
ABC News’ Shafiq Najib contributed to this report.
The all-new 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback is on display during the 2025 Los Angeles Auto Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center on November 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
(NEW YORK) — If you’re looking for a new set of wheels next year, the choices can be overwhelming.
From 3-row SUVs to wagons and futuristic electric vehicles, buyers can select from a wide range of powertrains, prices and body styles.
Which models are already generating excitement in the industry? ABC News spoke to several insiders to get their take on the hottest vehicles headed to showrooms.
Mercedes-Benz CLA and GLB
The German automaker has a busy 2026 schedule planned with the launches of several newly updated models, including the CLA sedan, GLB SUV and the flagship S-Class.
Mercedes’ designers reimagined the interior of the GLB, which can be configured for five or seven passengers. The latest model offers greater comfort: headroom has increased as well as legroom for second-row passengers. A new panoramic roof is standard and owners can opt for a “floating” MBUX Superscreen that extends across the entire dashboard.
Buyers have three powertrains from which to choose. There’s a new 1.5-liter, inline-4 gasoline hybrid, and two electrics: the 250+ (268 horsepower) and 350 4MATIC (349 hp). The GLB can charge up to 260 kilometers (162 miles) of range in 10 minutes, according to Mercedes, and the hybrid version drives in electric-only mode at city speeds.
The latest CLA, available as an electric sedan ($47,250 for the 250+ and $49,800 for the 350 4MATIC) and hybrid, may be even more important for the luxury automaker. The entry-level car packs a ton of tech inside, making it “among the most intelligent vehicles from Mercedes-Benz to date,” according to the automaker.
The same four-cylinder turbocharged engine in the GLB powers the CLA220 hybrid, which is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. A large, fixed panoramic glass roof in the CLA helps make the interior feel larger and more spacious. The CLA hybrid will be easy to spot at night: its radiator grille is adorned with the Mercedes‑Benz star pattern in chrome.
The electric CLA can travel 374 miles on a charge, according to Mercedes. Underneath the shell is an 800-volt electrical architecture, which allows the 48-volt lithium-ion battery to recoup roughly 200 miles in 10 minutes. DC fast charging up to 320 kilowatts (kW) is possible, too.
“It’s our vision for an EV to charge like fuel. We’re pushing the limits of what is possible with the CLA. Range anxiety will go away,” according to Markus Schäfer, a Mercedes board member and its chief technology officer.
The marque’s suite of advanced driver assistance systems is also available in the CLA models. Pricing for the GLB and CLA hybrid will be announced in 2026.
Kia K4 Hatchback
The K4 Hatchback, a stylish wagon that debuted in April, starts at $24,890 and will be available for sale in early 2026.
“I am so excited for it,” Robby DeGraff, manager of product and consumer insights at AutoPacific, told ABC News. “Hatchbacks might be making a comeback. It has a humongous cargo area and will be fun to drive. In terms of value, this should be a winner.”
A 2.0-liter engine produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. For a sportier ride, consumers can choose the GT-Line Turbo model ($28,790); the 1.6-liter, turbocharged engine makes 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque.
The K4 Hatchback is also a new design for the Korean automaker and comes equipped with features like a heated steering wheel, Harman Kardon audio system and Digital Key technology that allows an owner’s smartphone to function as virtual key.
Degraff said Kia’s latest iteration of the Telluride SUV, now available with a hybrid powertrain, should also be popular with consumers.
“A hybrid Telluride is long overdue — we will see a big take rate for the hybrid version,” he said. “Losing the V6 [engine] will be a bummer for some people … there are shoppers out there that want a V6 in their 3-row SUVs. But the Telluride will be hit no matter what.”
According to Kia, the turbo hybrid powertrain adds more power and acceleration than the previous model: a combined 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. The driving range is an estimated 600 miles. Kia’s flagship SUV, including the X-Line and X-Pro variants, go on sale in Q1 of 2026 and will be assembled at Kia’s plant in Georgia.
“The Telluride changed what Kia is,” according to Tony Quiroga, editor-in-chief of Car and Driver. “There was a ton of value in the first generation. The new Telluride looks more expensive than it will be and probably start around $40,000.”
“This version gives off a Range Rover vibe,” Quiroga added.
Subaru Outback
Subaru packed a ton of new tech in the latest Outback, including a 12.1-inch high-resolution infotainment screen and advanced driver assistance features. Drivers can now enable a Hands-Free Assist function that works at speeds up to 85 mph on highways.
The automaker is calling the 2026 Outback “the most connected and capable Subaru yet” with the “biggest styling updates in the model’s history.”
DeGraff said the SUV’s updated styling – a new front fascia, larger grille and boxier profile – could be “make or break” for consumers, but the amenities are a “good value” and Subaru still offers “the best all-wheel drive system in the entire industry.”
For Quiroga, the design changes make the Outback look more like a traditional SUV versus a lifted wagon.
“The latest Outback has the refinement and practicality of a wagon but is still very car-like. I see that as a plus,” he said.
The seventh-generation Outback starts at $34,995 for the Premium trim.
Chevy Bolt
The polarizing Chevy Bolt, one of the few affordable EVs to be sold in the U.S, will make its return as a 2027 model, though production will be limited.
The Bolt had both its fans and detractors; the unpretentious crossover won over motorists for its range and simplicity at an appealing price.
The latest trims – the Bolt RS and LT – will start under $30,000 and charge 2.5x faster than the previous model. Owners can expect to get 255 miles of range on a fully charged battery. The Bolt also is the first Chevy to be fitted with a NACS [North American Charging Standard] charging port. Deliveries begin in the first half of 2025.
“We really like the old Bolt, it had a ton of practicality,” said Quiroga. “The upcoming Bolt has a bit more range and a newer battery.”
Added DeGraff: “The 2027 Bolt is a clone of the outgoing one but it has more modern tech. It has all the safety features and Super Cruise. For budget shoppers who want to go electric, the Bolt is a home-run product.”
BMW iX3
The all-new iX3, BMW’s first series-production Neue Klasse model, goes on sale in summer of 2026 and will be a “hugely important vehicle” for the marque, according to Alistair Weaver, editor-in-chief of Edmunds.
The compact sport utility vehicle’s ($60,000) two-box design underwent a dramatic metamorphosis, with the latest iteration taller, longer, wider and more commanding. It also has a range of up to 400 miles, according to BMW. Plus, the company’s 800V architecture could be a game-changer for the industry: BWM said iX3 drivers can add nearly 175 miles of range in less than 10 minutes (it has a maximum charging rate of 400 kW). The vehicle’s dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain makes 463 hp and 476 lb-ft of torque.
“Most EV owners are happy with 300 miles, but this will do 400, and it can recharge almost twice as fast as a Tesla,” Jared Rosenholtz, editor at large for CarBuzz, told ABC News. “Not only is range anxiety gone, but so is motion sickness. You can not feel the regen braking working in the iX3. It’s the smoothest braking I’ve ever felt in my decade of reviewing cars. All of this will be available for just over $60,000, not $100,000.”
A plume of smoke rises after an explosion on February 28, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. (Photo by Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)
(NEW YORK) — The U.S. and Israel’s large-scale strikes on Iran Saturday are expected to rattle oil markets when trading resumes Sunday evening, with analysts anticipating an immediate price reaction and impact on gas prices.
The central concern isn’t just Iran’s oil production, but its influence over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important checkpoints for oil.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes through the strait, making Iran’s threats to close the waterway a significant risk. The U.S. is trying to control for this situation by vowing to “annihilate” Iran’s navy.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have limited infrastructure in place that can bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which has the potential to mitigate any transit disruptions, but not offset them entirely.
While Iran has never followed through on these threats in the past, the perception of risk is still enough to move markets.
GasBuddy’s Patrick DeHaan expects crude oil to jump 5-10% as markets reopen, pushing oil above $70 a barrel.
While this would be much less dramatic than the response to the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, which drove prices above $100 a barrel, it would still move the average price of gas to above $3 a gallon for the first time this year.
DeHaan noted that gasoline and diesel prices in the U.S will not skyrocket overnight, and the actual impact will depend on the intensity and duration of the conflict.
