In today’s newsletter: The Senate agrees to fund DHS, excluding ICE and Border Patrol, to end the shutdown. Key figures in Iranian politics emerge as possible negotiators with the US. And, at the age of 73, he is still a top college basketball coach.
Here’s what you need to know today.
Senate approves deal to fund most of DHS, but not ICE
The Senate unanimously agreed early Friday to fund the Department of Homeland Security after the 40-day shutdown, but not for immigration enforcement or deportation operations.
The package was approved by voice vote at 2:20 a.m. after a marathon session, hours after President Donald Trump announced he would sign an order to immediately pay Transportation Security Administration employees.
A lack of funding has left them without pay, leaving many out of work and causing long delays at airports.
The agreement comes after difficult bipartisan negotiations over the past six weeks. Trump’s support is expected, but the future in the House of Representatives is uncertain.
It would fund all of DHS except ICE Enforcement and Removal Services and parts of Customs and Border Protection, but Democrats have refused to vote in favor without major reforms to enforcement practices.
Read more about the dramatic efforts to end the shutdown.
More political news:
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from restricting Anthropic’s federal contracts after the Pentagon labeled the company a “supply chain risk to national security.” Trump’s signature will appear on banknotes, the first time a sitting president has done so. Jeffrey Epstein’s survivors have filed a class action lawsuit against the Trump administration and Google over their disclosure of personal information when files related to the former sex offender were made public in recent months. Vice President J.D. Vance will convene the first White House Fraud Task Force meeting, aimed at reducing federal spending by identifying misuse of funds. Indicted Florida Democratic Rep. Sheila Chafferas McCormick faces an unusual public ethics trial on charges that she stole millions of dollars in federal relief funds for her campaign.
Who is talking to Trump? Hardliners in power in Iran
In the wake of the deaths of several Iranian leaders, President Trump said this week that talks are underway with the Islamic Republic, but a key question remains: Who exactly is Washington talking to?
That person could be Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the hardline parliament speaker with deep ties to the country’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The 64-year-old is one of Iran’s leading conservative figures and a former military commander who has held top political posts for more than two decades. He is a well-respected figure among regime supporters and could be an effective key figure in U.S. discussions, the people said.
Ghalibaf’s rise signals a shift toward more uncompromising elements of the Revolutionary Guards effectively running the country.
Read more about how Iran’s new leader could affect war negotiations.
Follow live coverage of the war.
More news from Iran:
Iran’s Tehran toll plaza is forcing some oil tankers to pay millions of dollars to take a new route through the Strait of Hormuz. The Nasdaq has moved into correction territory as the war continues to weigh on the market.
Suspect in Gilgo Beach serial murders likely to plead guilty, sources say
Rex Heuerman, charged with seven murders in Gilgo Beach on Long Island, New York, is expected to plead guilty next month, officials said.
Heuerman, known as a family-oriented architect, was arrested in 2023 and initially charged with three counts of first-degree murder. The following year, he was charged with murdering four more women.
Mr. Heuerman was arrested as police investigated at least 10 deaths whose bodies were discovered during searches along Gilgo Beach in 2010 and 2011. Most of them were female sex workers. Police do not believe all these deaths are related to the same person.
Mr. Heuerman maintains his innocence and has previously pleaded not guilty.
Read more about this incident here.
NBC Select: Le Creuset launches Mediterranean-inspired colors
Beloved kitchen brand Le Creuset recently unveiled an all-new colorway, but it has some unique similarities to its recently discontinued Caribbean collection. Meanwhile, Beyoncé’s hair care brand Cécred debuted a full line of styling products, and Apple announced new AirPods Max 2, also priced at $549. Looking for more new products released this month? Our editors have rounded up the March releases we can’t stop talking about.
Sign up for The Selection Newsletter for real product reviews, expert shopping tips, and the best deals and deals every week.
read all about it
A U.S. district judge denies a request to dismiss drug trafficking charges against ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife.Oscars ceremony to move from Hollywood to downtown Los Angeles in 2029;Kennedy Center cuts soon ahead of planned two-year closure for renovations ‘Every parent’s nightmare’: The head of a powerful teachers’ union slams comments by first lady Melania Trump that humanoid robot teachers could soon become a central part of children’s education. Singer FKA Twigs is suing ex-boyfriend Shia LaBeouf over an “illegal” non-disclosure agreement obtained in their 2020 sexual relationship settlement.
Staff Pick: For St. John’s coach Rick Pitino, ‘age is just a number’
Rick Pitino has been a head basketball coach since 1978, and at 73 years old, no one would question whether he retired right now or relaxed somewhere else. Instead, he led St. John’s to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament and made the Red Storm legitimate contenders for the national championship.
Unlike some of his longtime rivals, Pitino is still going strong — even in the NIL era, when players were paid and could be transferred after each season. He is forced to spend time off the court constantly rebuilding the roster and persuading wealthy alumni to donate so the program can attract and retain talent. So why is he still doing this and what does his family think? I spoke to his son and fellow coach Richard Pitino.
— Greg Rosenstein, Sports Editor
Thank you for reading this morning’s summary. Today’s newsletter has been designed for you by Marissa Martinez. If you’re a fan, please send the link to your family and friends. You can sign up here.
