U.S. gasoline prices may stay above $3 per gallon into 2027 due to ongoing Iran conflict, with prices peaking at $4.16 earlier this month. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said prices could return below $3 later this year or next, as the conflict impacts fuel costs. Current prices remain significantly higher than pre-war levels.
The U.S. will launch a tariff refund system on Monday, allowing businesses to claim reimbursements for $166 billion in duties deemed illegal by the Supreme Court. Customs and Border Protection will manage the platform, providing electronic refunds where applicable. The move aims to address past tariff disputes and support affected businesses.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) has targeted Vice President Vance in recent attacks, amid ongoing political tensions. The discussion also highlights Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D) resignation, which shifts focus onto Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) ahead of the 2028 presidential race. The live event is scheduled for Monday, featuring analysis from The Hill’s Amie Parnes and Ian Swanson.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who has maintained an informal moratorium on executions since 2019, faces a deadline to clarify his stance on the death penalty before leaving office in January 2027. With 113 inmates on Ohio’s death row, DeWine has yet to decide whether to abolish capital punishment or commute their sentences, leaving his position uncertain as his term nears its end.
Former President Donald Trump disagreed with Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s prediction that gas prices would not fall below $3 per gallon until next year. Trump stated on April 17, 2026, that he believed Wright was "totally wrong" about the timeline. The disagreement highlights ongoing debates over energy prices and policy forecasts.
Three people were killed in a U.S. military strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean on Sunday. U.S. Southern Command confirmed the attack, which targeted a vessel believed to be involved in narco-trafficking along known routes. The incident highlights ongoing U.S. efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.
On April 20, 2026, over 36 Democratic Senators supported Bernie Sanders’s effort in a Senate vote, highlighting internal divisions within the party on foreign policy regarding Israel. As Democrats are expected to control both chambers, these votes reveal potential challenges for the party’s unity and influence on foreign policy decisions, raising concerns about bipartisan cooperation and political stability.
