In today’s newsletter: Iranian attacks are forcing Gulf states to consider joining the war. The bipartisan effort to end the DHS shutdown has reached a new level of urgency. The cast of “Mormon Wives” also expressed concerns about abuse allegations against one of the show’s stars in a meeting with ABC executives.
Here’s what you need to know today.
Iran’s retaliation forces Gulf states to make tough decisions
As attacks from Iran continue, the Islamic Republic’s Gulf states are facing tough decisions about whether to join the fight.
After Israel’s attack on Iran’s largest oil field, the conflict-engaged country’s retaliatory strikes across the region signaled a dramatic escalation in the war and existing threats to the global economy.
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Some of these strikes exploded outside a hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as representatives of Middle Eastern countries gathered to discuss the war. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud told the meeting that trust between Iran and its neighbors had been shattered and that other countries should not rule out joining the fighting.
Gulf states are desperate for an end to the conflict. While some hope the U.S. finds a way out as soon as possible, others are more concerned that the Trump administration will leave the Iranian regime not only unscathed but also vindictive, U.S. officials said.
Omani officials, once confident that the U.S. and Iran could reach a peace deal, are “panicking and trying to figure out how to protect their people,” a parliamentary aide said. Leaders of the United Arab Emirates, which has been bearing the brunt of Iranian attacks, are outraged by the development.
What other Gulf countries are concerned about.
Follow our live coverage of the conflict.
More news from Iran:
Uprooted from their homes and fearful of a full-scale Israeli invasion, Lebanese feel that nowhere is safe. After meeting with the families of six service members killed in the war, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he had a consistent message from the families: “They said, ‘End it.'” But one father denies ever saying that.The Justice Department has seized four domains linked to Iran, including one associated with a hacker group that claimed responsibility for cyberattacks on U.S. companies.
Bipartisan talks to end Department of Homeland Security shutdown begin in earnest
Republican and Democratic leaders seeking to end the month-long shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security met yesterday with White House Border Secretary Tom Homan. Senate Majority Leader John Thune also threatened to cancel the Senate’s two-week Easter recess unless negotiators reach an agreement.
Senators have been in a stalemate since DHS funding expired on February 14, but recent suspected terrorist attacks, widespread chaos at airports and frustration over the unpaid work of thousands of federal workers have heightened the tension on Capitol Hill.
DHS was shut down just over a month ago after a department employee killed two Americans in Minneapolis. Democrats approved funding for other parts of the government, but vowed to block funding for DHS until Republicans agree to make major reforms to how immigration enforcement is conducted.
Democrats have floated plans to pay TSA, FEMA, Coast Guard and other non-ICE employees, but the Trump administration has indicated it is willing to compromise on issues such as body-worn cameras and limits on civilian immigration enforcement in “certain sensitive locations” such as hospitals and schools. Republicans still say they want to fund DHS in its entirety, not in parts.
A month has passed since the closure, and how is the discussion progressing?
More political news:
Former FBI Director James Comey has been subpoenaed in connection with an investigation conducted by federal prosecutors appointed by President Trump, sources said. President Donald Trump joked about a visit to the White House by Sanae Takaichi, the prime minister who attacked Pearl Harbor. A U.S. gold coin bearing President Trump’s portrait has been approved by the president’s handpicked committee.
‘Secrets of a Mormon Wife’ Star Raise Taylor Frankie Paul Concerns to ABC Executives
Cast members of Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” told ABC executives earlier this month that they had concerns about the show’s continuation if “MomTok” founder Taylor Frankie Paul remained involved, according to audio obtained by NBC News.
During a March 7 Zoom meeting, the stars expressed concerns about the future of their careers, the show’s brand, and the allegations surrounding Paul and his partner Dakota Mortensen.
According to Salt Lake County Sheriff’s records, Paul was charged in 2023 with assault in the presence of a child, criminal mischief and domestic violence. According to court records, Paul pleaded guilty in August 2025 to a deferred charge of aggravated assault, and four other charges were dismissed with prejudice. A police spokesperson announced this week that an open “domestic assault investigation” has been ongoing into Paul and Mortensen since February.
Yesterday, TMZ released a 2023 video apparently recorded by Mortensen that shows Paul pushing and kicking Mortensen while repeatedly asking him to stop. Paul was also seen throwing three barstools at Mortensen. I could hear my daughter crying, who was sitting nearby.
Shortly after the video was released, a Disney spokesperson announced that ABC had pulled Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette,” which was scheduled to premiere Sunday.
Read NBC News’ exclusive report on the call with ABC executives.
Heatwave hits California, floods hit Hawaii
Early season heatwaves in California and Arizona have broken some all-time records, and summer-like conditions are expected to continue for several more days.
The Lake Martinez area in Yuma County, Arizona, recorded 100 degrees Fahrenheit, setting a new record for the hottest March temperature ever recorded in the United States, according to the National Weather Service. Palm Springs, California, recorded a high of 107 degrees yesterday, the warmest March on record.
Parts of Oregon, Idaho and Colorado are also experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures. Check out what other temperature records have been set.
Meanwhile, residents in Hawaii are battling record rain. Parts of Maui received more than 5 feet of rain from March 10 to March 16, with Haleakala Crater near the top of the island receiving about 33 inches in just 24 hours. In Lahaina, where a 2023 fire killed more than 100 people, debris flowed over the burn scars and onto the streets, one resident said.
Learn more about Hawaii’s extreme rain.
read all about it
In the wake of sexual abuse allegations against the civil rights leader, officials and members of the public across the United States are calling for the names of places honoring Cesar Chavez to be changed. The FCC has given the green light to Nexstar’s $6.2 billion deal to acquire rival Tegna and create the nation’s largest local TV station operator. James Paul Gracie, a University of Alabama student who went missing in Barcelona, ​​has been found dead, police say.Does money lead to happiness? Researchers asked 100 participants to answer this age-old question to see how the answers would change with the use of an AI system.
Staff Pick: New guest on Epstein’s island: YouTuber
When I came across a YouTube video titled “Sneaking into Jeffrey Epstein’s Island,” I had no idea there were at least a dozen other videos like it.
We spoke to four content creators about a video documenting a trip to Little St. James, once owned by a convicted sex offender. They told me about the logistical challenges of the trip, including fear of violating trespass laws, booking expensive multi-leg flights to reach the island, and finding locals to help them get closer to the island.
Many were driven by curiosity about Epstein’s crimes and what happened on the island. But it was also the kind of video they knew was guaranteed to garner millions of views.
— Bruna Horvath, Business Intern
NBC Select: Online Shopping, Made Simple
Happy first official day of spring! To celebrate, the NBC Select team has created a comprehensive guide to herb gardening. We’ve also tracked the best spring sales to buy now, with big discounts at REI, Sephora, and more.
Sign up for The Selection Newsletter for real product reviews, expert shopping tips, and the best deals and deals every week.
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