In a strategic move to mitigate the escalating fuel costs exacerbated by the ongoing conflict with Iran, Donald Trump is considering temporarily eliminating the federal gas tax. This decision is aimed at providing some relief to consumers burdened by soaring prices as the midterm elections approach.

During an interview with CBS News on Monday, the President expressed his intention to suspend the federal gas tax. “We’re going to take off the gas tax for a period of time, and when gas goes down, we’ll let it phase back in,” he stated. This tax suspension would reduce the price by 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel.

Such a measure could offer some relief to drivers who have been grappling with a 50 percent surge in prices since the conflict began, raising the national average to $4.52 per gallon. If implemented, the average price could drop to approximately $4.34, although this would still be significantly higher than the pre-conflict average of $2.98 per gallon reported before February 28.

The decision comes amid stalled negotiations between Iran and the United States, as Trump recently dismissed Tehran’s latest proposal as a “very stupid proposal,” leaving no sign of an imminent peace agreement. Despite the challenges, the administration remains focused on addressing the economic pressures faced by American consumers.

The move comes with Iran and the US no closer to a peace deal, after Trump slapped down Tehran’s latest counteroffer as ‘a very stupid proposal.’ 

Iran’s demands include reparations and control over the Strait of Hormuz. 

‘We will never bow our heads before the enemy,’ Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said Sunday. 

Some 63 percent of Americans blame Trump for the price surge, while more than 80 percent say pump costs are straining their finances, an NPR/PBS/Marist poll released last week found. 

Donald Trump hosts an event promoting maternal healthcare in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on Monday

US Army veteran Chuck Gilmer replaces the gas pump in the Dallas suburb of Richardson, Texas, last week. Trump’s proposed tax break would offer modest relief for drivers

Trump’s advisers are increasingly worried Republicans will pay a political price at the ballot box this November and are eager to end the war before prices wreck the midterms.

The President told reporters Monday that the price ‘will drop like a rock’ and has insisted that it is ‘a very small price to pay for getting rid of a nuclear weapon from people that are really mentally deranged.’

He even branded Energy Secretary Chris Wright ‘totally wrong’ last month after Wright conceded relief at the pump may not arrive until 2027.  

Trump warned Monday he may be planning ‘severe’ action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, conceding the ceasefire with Iran ‘is on massive life support.’ 

Oil surged on the latest discord with global benchmark Brent crude hitting $104 per barrel, a 2.5 percent increase. Brent is up around 40 percent since the war started.

Ex-New Hampshire governor Chris Sununu, a Trump critic now lobbying for the major airlines, personally warned Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on a recent Washington visit that already-sky-high airfares will surge further if the war does not end soon.  

The Airlines for America president said Trump officials grasp the danger. 

‘They get it … and I think that’s why they’re trying to get through the war as fast as they can,’ Sununu told the Wall Street Journal last week. 

The war has already claimed its first airline casualty. Spirit collapsed into liquidation on May 2 after jet fuel prices roughly doubled in the opening weeks of the conflict and the Trump administration walked away from a $500 million bailout. 

The average domestic round-trip ticket has jumped 21 percent to $570, and Sununu warned even a sudden reopening of the strait won’t bring quick relief.

‘You’re looking at elevated ticket prices through the summer and fall because it takes a while for the prices to go down,’ he said.

Trump is expected to use a trip to China this week to press Xi Jinping to lean on Iran, with Beijing the biggest buyer of Tehran’s sanctioned crude oil.

The two sides remain miles apart. Trump is demanding a sweeping rollback of Iran’s nuclear program, while Tehran wants a narrower deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lift the US blockade of Iranian ports before deeper talks begin.

Iran has offered to dilute part of its highly enriched uranium and ship the rest to a third country, with Russia previously offering to take it, two regional officials told the Associated Press.

Trump wants the material removed entirely and is unlikely to swallow Tehran’s other demands, including formal recognition of its control over the strait and US war reparations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who launched the war alongside Trump, insisted the conflict is ‘not over,’ telling CBS that if the nuclear material can’t be pried out through diplomacy, Israel and the US agree ‘we can reengage them militarily.’

He told 60 Minutes that the Iranian government’s ‘days are numbered, but it could take a lot of days.’

The US and Israel killed dozens of high-ranking Iranian officials in the opening salvos of the war, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the conflict has gutted Iran’s economy. But theocracy is still standing.

Nestled in Beverly Hills, an opulent mansion now stands on the grounds of one of America’s most infamous murder sites, available for rent at an eye-watering $250,000 monthly rate.

Previously listed for an ambitious $50 million, Villa Andalusia found no buyer. Consequently, it is now being offered for lease at $247,500 each month, as reported by Realtor.com.

The property’s listing accentuates its luxurious features, including breathtaking vistas, lush tropical gardens, and resort-like amenities, all while omitting the notorious past that once defined this address.

This sprawling 21,000-square-foot estate occupies the land where, in August 1969, the pregnant actress Sharon Tate tragically lost her life at the hands of Charles Manson’s followers.

The road sign for Cielo Drive marks the location of the former property where actress Sharon Tate was tragically murdered. (Photo by Barbara Munker/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Tate was staying at the home while her husband, filmmaker Roman Polanski, was abroad. In the early morning hours, members of the Manson Family entered the property and carried out a brutal attack.

Tate was murdered along with celebrity hairstylist Jay Sebring, coffee heiress Abigail Folger and writer Wojciech Frykowski. Another victim, Steven Parent, was shot and killed in the driveway.

Seven deputies escort Charles Manson from the courtroom after he and three followers were found guilty of seven murders in the Tate-LaBianca slayings. (Bettmann/Getty Images)

The killings were part of a two-night spree ordered by Manson that left seven people dead and stunned the nation. The following night, Manson’s followers killed Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, leaving messages written in blood at the scene.

Authorities said the violence was intended to spark chaos and fear — part of Manson’s belief in an impending race war he referred to as “Helter Skelter.”

American actress Lillian Gish and her mother, actress Mary Gish, relax by the swimming pool at 10050 Cielo Drive during the filming of the western “Duel in the Sun” in 1946. (Screen Archives/Getty Images)

The original home tied to the murders was eventually demolished. Decades later, television producer Jeff Franklin purchased the land for $6 million and built a new estate, which was completed in 2006, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Franklin lived there for years and has previously downplayed the property’s past, calling it “ancient history” and saying it had no impact on him, according to the outlet.

Today, the estate is designed as a luxury compound. It includes nine bedrooms and 18 bathrooms, along with a theater, poker room, multiple bars and several aquariums, including one built into a dining area.

Outside, the 3.6-acre grounds feature two pools connected by a lazy river, multiple waterfalls, hot tubs, a waterslide, a swim-up bar and a koi pond. A large motor court can accommodate dozens of vehicles.

Despite those features, the home struggled to sell at its previous asking price, raising questions about whether its dark history continues to weigh on potential buyers.

The renewed attention also comes as the Manson murders remain in the public eye.

Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten walk to court for their roles in the 1969 cult killings of seven people. (George Brich/AP)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently blocked the parole of Patricia Krenwinkel, one of Manson’s followers who took part in the killings, saying she still poses “an unreasonable danger to society.”

Krenwinkel, now 77, has spent decades in prison. While officials noted her rehabilitation efforts, Newsom said she still lacks full understanding of her role in the crimes.

Manson himself was convicted in 1971 for orchestrating the killings and later died in prison in 2017.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the listing agent and Jeff Franklin for comment.

In an effort to tackle rising beef prices, President Trump is set to sign two executive orders, a White House official revealed to The Post. This move is part of his strategy to make beef more affordable amidst escalating steak costs and growing inflation concerns as the midterm elections approach.

The forthcoming directives aim to boost beef imports and rejuvenate the US cattle herd, which has dwindled to its lowest in 75 years due to severe droughts and escalating production expenses.

The first executive order seeks to temporarily lift the tariff-rate quota on beef imports. This quota currently imposes higher tariffs once a certain quantity of beef enters the US. By suspending this, more beef can be imported at reduced costs, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

The second order will instruct the Small Business Administration to expand loan opportunities and capital access for American cattle ranchers. It also plans to ease endangered species protections affecting gray and Mexican wolves, which have been a point of contention for major beef producers. Additionally, the order will relax certain requirements for ranchers, such as the mandatory use of electronic ear tags on livestock.

Shoppers have already noticed some relief in grocery prices. For example, egg prices have decreased as poultry populations have rebounded following widespread avian flu outbreaks.

But beef prices are still sky-high – up 40% over the past five years.

Extremely dry conditions have reduced the amount of grass available for grazing, making farmers more reliant on feed and raising their costs. 

Further hampering supply was a flesh-eating pest called the New World Screwworm discovered in Mexican cattle herds, forcing the US to temporarily halt imports.

Demand for beef and veal products has remained steady, pushing prices artificially high – making it beef major driver of food inflation under the Trump administration.

However, Trump’s efforts to curb beef prices could further anger cattle ranchers, who were already upset after the government quadrupled beef imports from Argentina in February.

At the time, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said the additional Argentinian imports would damage the “livelihoods of American cattlemen and women.”

American ranchers and farmers have since sounded the alarm over the Iran war, as the Strait of Hormuz blockade disrupts global shipments of fertilizer – sending their input costs even higher.

The US is poised to import a record amount of beef this year, largely from Brazil, Australia and Canada, according to the US Department of Agriculture. 

Brazil – the world’s largest beef exporter – has been shipping more beef to the US since China, its usual top buyer, has imposed stricter import quotas.

The Trump administration has largely blamed meatpackers, particularly foreign-owned companies, for jacking up prices on American customers.

The Department of Justice last week confirmed it has launched an antitrust investigation into the “Big Four” meatpackers, which control more than 85% of the US processing market.

Trump has been keen on affordability initiatives ahead of the midterm elections, as consumer sentiment in May plunged to a fresh record low on inflation concerns amid the Iran war.

The president has exempted several food items from his tariffs, delayed planned increases on lumber and furniture imports, and seemingly dropped his threat to hike the baseline tariff on all imports from 10% to 15%.

Residents across three states in the United States have been advised to remain indoors at the start of the week due to a blanket of harmful smog encompassing the area.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has cautioned those in specific regions of Arizona, Texas, and California to minimize outdoor activities and adopt safety measures as hazardous ozone pollution spreads through densely populated locales.

Ground-level ozone, a potent oxidant, serves as a respiratory irritant, leading to immediate symptoms such as coughing, throat irritation, and chest discomfort.

This pollutant can inflict lung damage, exacerbate asthma and other respiratory conditions, and elevate the risk of chronic heart and lung diseases.

Air quality warnings have been issued for both the Phoenix metropolitan area and the Tucson region in Arizona.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality warned that weather conditions combined with existing pollution levels were expected to create dangerous ozone concentrations in both areas.

In Texas, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued an Ozone Action Day for El Paso, including Downtown El Paso, Socorro, Fort Bliss and surrounding communities.

California officials also extended an air quality alert for the Imperial Valley, warning residents that ozone pollution levels would likely peak during the afternoon and early evening hours.

The National Weather Service (NWS) warned residents in parts of Arizona, Texas and California to limit outdoor activity and take precautions as dangerous ozone pollution spreads across heavily populated regions (stock)

Ground-level ozone is a harmful air pollutant that forms when emissions from cars, power plants and industrial facilities react with heat and sunlight, creating dangerous smog on hot days. 

The largest alert was issued for the Phoenix metro area in Maricopa County, where the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) warned that weather conditions combined with existing pollution levels were expected to create dangerous ozone concentrations through Tuesday. 

Phoenix is experiencing unusually hot weather for early May, with temperatures expected to reach between 104 and 110 degrees during Mother’s Day weekend, well above the normal low 90s for this time of year. 

Officials specifically advised residents to carpool, use public transportation and avoid using gasoline-powered lawn equipment during the hottest parts of the day.

A similar warning was issued for the Tucson metro area, including Green Valley, Marana and Vail, where ozone levels were forecast to reach concentrations considered hazardous to sensitive groups. 

ADEQ warned that adverse health effects increase as air quality deteriorates and encouraged people to reduce physical activity outdoors.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued an Ozone Action Day for the El Paso area from 10am to 9pm Tuesday. 

The advisory included Downtown El Paso, the Upper Valley, Socorro and Fort Bliss, where officials said atmospheric conditions would be favorable for producing high levels of ozone pollution. 

Residents have been urged to share rides, conserve energy and keep vehicles properly tuned to help limit emissions.

California officials also extended an air quality alert for the Imperial Valley due to harmful levels of ozone pollution. 

The advisory warned that ozone levels could vary throughout the day depending on pollution transport and weather patterns, with the highest concentrations expected during the afternoon and early evening hours.

The California warning included detailed health guidance for residents depending on Air Quality Index levels. 

Officials said that when conditions reach the ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’ category, people with lung disease, children and older adults should limit extended outdoor activity. If conditions worsen to ‘Unhealthy’ or ‘Very Unhealthy,’ residents were advised to avoid prolonged time outside altogether.

Health experts have long warned that ground-level ozone differs from the protective ozone layer high in Earth’s atmosphere. 

In a significant crackdown on the notorious Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang, federal authorities have charged over 25 suspected members and affiliates. More than 80 firearms, approximately 18 kilograms of narcotics, and over $100,000 in cash were confiscated during this operation, aimed at dismantling the violent transnational criminal network.

The momentum behind this crackdown can be traced back to last year when former President Donald Trump designated TdA as a foreign terrorist organization. Since then, more than 260 individuals connected to the gang have faced charges.

FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the ongoing efforts to dismantle violent gangs across the United States. “Today’s extensive takedown of 25 members from the Tren de Aragua is a testament to our commitment,” Patel stated in a release to Fox News Digital. “Under President Trump’s administration, the historic Homeland Security Task Force model has made significant strides in enhancing national safety, and our mission to eradicate these criminal networks from our communities will persist.”

In related efforts, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently visited the Terrorist Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, on March 26, 2025. The facility is known for detaining prisoners affiliated with the MS-13 gang.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem tours the Terrorist Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, on March 26, 2025, where prisoners with MS-13 gang tattoos are held.

The operation targeted alleged TdA activity tied to firearms trafficking, narcotics distribution and other violent criminal conduct, according to federal authorities. Investigators recovered fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, ketamine, MDMA and tusi, a pink powder often containing ketamine and/or MDMA.

Charges have been filed across six U.S. Attorney’s offices, including the Districts of Colorado, Southern Florida, Northern Indiana, Middle Tennessee, Western Tennessee and Eastern Washington.

The bust underscores the Trump administration’s push to dismantle foreign gang networks operating inside the United States, including TdA, which has drawn growing scrutiny from law enforcement over its alleged role in violent crime, drug trafficking and migrant-related criminal networks.

Authorities said investigators also seized more than $100,000 in cash during the nationwide crackdown. (Paul Sancya/AP Photo)

“The success of this operation is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our HSI special agents and the unwavering commitment of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners,” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Acting Executive Associate Director John Condon wrote in a statement.

President Trump is pictured next to alleged Tren de Aragua gang members. The president has made a point to crack down on the violent gang. (Edward Romero/Getty Images)

“The Homeland Security Task Force’s mission is to safeguard the United States from transnational threats by leveraging intelligence-driven investigations and robust interagency collaboration. 

“This TdA takedown demonstrates the power of unified action in disrupting dangerous criminal networks and protecting our communities.”

STICKNEY, Ill. — The suburban community of Stickney is mourning the loss of its mayor, Jeff Walik, who passed away recently.

Jeff Walik, prior to his tenure as mayor, served as a dedicated police officer, leaving a lasting impact on the local law enforcement community.

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The Stickney Police Department expressed their deep sorrow in a statement, highlighting that for many within the force, Walik was more than just a mayor. They regarded him as a friend, colleague, and mentor.

At this time, further details surrounding his passing have not been disclosed.

Further details have not been released.

Harvey’s mayor died in January.

The Stickney Police Department said:

“Today, the Village of Stickney and the Stickney Police Department mourn the loss of Mayor Jeff Walik, a man whose life was deeply woven into the fabric of this community. Long before he served as Mayor, Jeff served this village as a Stickney Police Officer. He wore the badge with pride, dedication, and a genuine love for the people he protected. Even after a career-ending injury, his commitment to Stickney never faded. He simply found another way to continue serving the town he cared so deeply about. For many within this department, Jeff was more than a Mayor. He was a friend, a co-worker, a mentor, and part of an era that many still look back on with pride and gratitude. His stories, his humor, and his unwavering passion for this village left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him. Jeff never stopped believing in Stickney. He fought for this community, stood beside its residents, and carried the village with him in everything he did. His legacy will live on not only through his years of service, but through the countless lives he touched along the way. On behalf of the Stickney Police Department, we extend our deepest condolences to the Walik family, his friends, and all who are grieving this tremendous loss. Rest peacefully, Mayor Walik. Your watch has ended, but your impact on this village never will.”

The McCook Police Department said:

“It is with a heavy heart that we pause to honor and remember Jeff Walik who passed today- a man who dedicated so much of himself to the Village of Stickney, both on the streets and in the halls of leadership. Before he served as Mayor, Jeff walked the beat as one of Stickney’s own – a police officer who showed up every day to protect and serve this community, until he was injured on the job. Those of us lucky enough to have known him from those days carry memories that don’t fade. They were the good old days, and Jeff was a big part of what made them good. Over the years, many faces have come and gone, and not everyone had the privilege of knowing Jeff before he became Mayor Walik. But those who did know him then understood the kind of man he truly was – dedicated, proud of this village, and always willing to give everything he had for the people of Stickney. To the Stickney Police Department, to the Village of Stickney, and to all who had the honor of knowing and working alongside Jeff – our deepest sympathies go out to you during this difficult time. Rest easy, Jeff. Stickney was better because of you.”

The Berwyn Police Department said:

“The Berwyn Police Department extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and residents of Stickney on the passing of Mayor Jeff Walik. Before serving as Mayor, Jeff Walik proudly served as a Stickney Police Officer, dedicating his life to public service and to the community he cared so deeply about. His commitment to protecting and uplifting the Village of Stickney left a lasting impact on countless lives. Today, we join our neighboring community in mourning the loss of a respected leader, former officer, and public servant. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who knew and loved him during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Mayor Walik. Your service and legacy will not be forgotten.”

Fred Johnson, an offensive tackle for the Eagles, has been accused by his eight-month pregnant girlfriend of evicting her from their home and using the dating app Hinge to meet other women.

Alyssa Okada, who described herself as Johnson’s “now ex-girlfriend,” shared these allegations in a TikTok video on Friday. In the video, she is seen sitting in her car with two pink suitcases in the backseat.

“I’ve got a question,” Okada, 31, stated. “Hypothetically speaking, if a man were to kick out his eight-month pregnant girlfriend and their unborn child, and then immediately start looking for women to have fun with on Hinge, what would you think of him?”

“You’d likely conclude that this hypothetical man isn’t a good person or father,” she continued. “You probably wouldn’t believe he possesses integrity, morals, or any form of decency, correct? I’m just trying to gauge if we all agree here.”

“Additionally,” Okada added, “if these women were aware that this man had an eight-month pregnant ex-girlfriend and a child on the way and still chose to engage with him, you’d likely think those women also lack self-respect, integrity, morals, and decency, right?”

“If, hypothetically, those situations were true, those would be some pretty s–tty f–king people in my opinion. But just wondering what you guys think.”

In a second video, Okada spoke of falling in love with someone who turned out to be a completely different person.

“I just truly think it’s time that people stop blaming women for the partners they choose, and start blaming partners for pretending to be something that they’re not,” Okada said.

“I am so used to people’s judgements and opinions and whatever they want to say about what I share on the internet. But what I’ve realized is that there are so many people quick to say ‘well, what did you do in the situation’ or ‘you knew what you were getting yourself into,’ or ‘you knew who you picked.’ That is not true.

“No woman ever knowingly goes into a situation thinking this person is going to hurt me, this person is going to lie to me, this person is going to turn out to be a completely different person than the one he is showing me.

“I think it’s really sick that people put the blame on women for truly just believing in and trusting the man that they fell in love with. That’s just something I continue to see and truly it hurts to see the way women are consistently invalidated and blamed for somebody else’s actions.

“At the end of the day having a kind heart or having love for somebody and hope in your heart and just being truly hopeful that the person they’re showing you is truly who they are, should not be something that is then held against you at the end when they completely take their mask off and are an entirely different person than the one that you fell in love with.”

Taking to his Instagram Story, Johnson did not directly address her allegations, but shared messages about mastering your emotions and others spreading rumors.

“The hardest flex isn’t revenge,” one of the messages said. “It’s watching someone who tried to destroy you realize you survived without ever mentioning their name.”

Okada last posted Johnson mid-April during a trip to the farmer’s market.

He was not shown in her social media posts from her joint birthday and babymoon vacation in late April.

Okada shared that the pair is expecting a girl in an Instagram video post in January.

She revealed her pregnancy in December.