Record-high passenger wait times at airports, but no deal yet on the 40th day of the shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — Air travelers are experiencing the highest wait times ever under the Transportation Security Administration, the agency's acting head said Wednesday, asthe latest offerto end a funding impasse and put restraints on President Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda met fierce resistance in Congress.

Travel Delays Houston

The TSA's Ha Nguyen McNeill described themounting hardshipsfacing unpaid airport workers — piling up bills and eviction notices, even plasma donations to make ends meet — and warned that lawmakers must ensure "this never happens again."

"This is a dire situation," she testified at a House hearing, warning of potential airport closures. "At this point, we have to look at all options on the table."

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Yet on the 40th day of the standoff involving the Department of Homeland Security, there was no easy way out in sight. Neither Republican senators, who made the latest offer, nor Democrats, who are demanding more changes inimmigration enforcement, appeared closer to a compromise.

Trump, who initially appeared to have given his nod to the deal, has declined to lend it his full support or put his political weight behind making sure it is approved.

Top officials at agencies under the DHS umbrella spoke for more than three-hours before the House Homeland Security Committee about the potential risks of security lapses unless the partial government shutdown comes to an end.

A deal teeters on collapse

DHS has gone without routine funding since mid-February. Democrats are insisting on changes to the Trump administration'simmigration enforcement and mass deportation operationsafter the killings of two U.S. citizensin Minneapolisby federal officers during protests.The latest proposal would fund most of DHS except for the enforcement and removal operations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that have been central to the debate. The plan would cover other aspects of ICE as well as Customs and Border Protection.While the offer added some new restraints on immigration officers, including the use of body cameras, it excluded other policies that Democrats have demanded.Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said they needed to see real changes. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York pressed for "bold" changes at ICE.Republican leaders said Democrats are putting the country at risk."They know this is crazy," said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.But conservative Republicans also panned the proposal, demanding full funding for immigration operations and skeptical of the promise from GOP leaders that they would address Trump's proof-of-citizenshipvoting billin a subsequent legislative package.Airport lines growas TSA workers endure hardshipsMcNeill, the acting TSA administrator, told lawmakers that multiple airports are experiencing greater than 40% callout rates and more than 480 transportation security officers have now quit during the shutdown.She cited the growing financial strain on the TSA workforce."Some are sleeping in their cars, selling their blood and plasma, and taking on second jobs to make ends meet, all while being expected to perform at the highest level when in uniform to protect the traveling public," she said.McNeil also said TSA officers working at the nation's airports have experienced a more than 500% increase in the frequency of assaults since the shutdown began."This is unacceptable and it will not be tolerated," McNeill said.The top executive overseeing Houston's airport said security lines that have travelers waiting four hours or more could get longer if the political impasse was not soon settled.Lines that twist and turn across multiple floors at George Bush Intercontinental Airport have been the result of TSA only being able to staff one-third to one-half the usual number of checkpoint lines, said Jim Szczesniak, aviation director for Houston's airport system.Trump's decision tosend ICE agentsto the airports risks inflaming the situation, lawmakers have said. Video footage offederal officers detaining a crying womanat San Francisco International Airport drew outrage Monday from local officials, although it was unrelated to Trump's order to deploy immigration officers.FEMA also at riskThe Federal Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Relief Fund is "rapidly depleting," Victoria Barton, a FEMA external affairs official, told lawmakers.FEMA is able to continue its disaster response and recovery work as long as that fund has money, and about 10,000 of its disaster workers continue being paid through it.___Associated Press writers Wyatte Grantham-Philips in New York, Rio Yamat in Las Vegas, Russ Bynum in Houston and Gabriela Aoun Angueira in San Diego contributed to this report.

DHS has gone without routine funding since mid-February. Democrats are insisting on changes to the Trump administration'simmigration enforcement and mass deportation operationsafter the killings of two U.S. citizensin Minneapolisby federal officers during protests.

The latest proposal would fund most of DHS except for the enforcement and removal operations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that have been central to the debate. The plan would cover other aspects of ICE as well as Customs and Border Protection.

While the offer added some new restraints on immigration officers, including the use of body cameras, it excluded other policies that Democrats have demanded.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said they needed to see real changes. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York pressed for "bold" changes at ICE.

Republican leaders said Democrats are putting the country at risk.

"They know this is crazy," said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

But conservative Republicans also panned the proposal, demanding full funding for immigration operations and skeptical of the promise from GOP leaders that they would address Trump's proof-of-citizenshipvoting billin a subsequent legislative package.

Airport lines grow

as TSA workers endure hardships

McNeill, the acting TSA administrator, told lawmakers that multiple airports are experiencing greater than 40% callout rates and more than 480 transportation security officers have now quit during the shutdown.

She cited the growing financial strain on the TSA workforce.

"Some are sleeping in their cars, selling their blood and plasma, and taking on second jobs to make ends meet, all while being expected to perform at the highest level when in uniform to protect the traveling public," she said.

McNeil also said TSA officers working at the nation's airports have experienced a more than 500% increase in the frequency of assaults since the shutdown began.

"This is unacceptable and it will not be tolerated," McNeill said.

The top executive overseeing Houston's airport said security lines that have travelers waiting four hours or more could get longer if the political impasse was not soon settled.

Lines that twist and turn across multiple floors at George Bush Intercontinental Airport have been the result of TSA only being able to staff one-third to one-half the usual number of checkpoint lines, said Jim Szczesniak, aviation director for Houston's airport system.

Trump's decision tosend ICE agentsto the airports risks inflaming the situation, lawmakers have said. Video footage offederal officers detaining a crying womanat San Francisco International Airport drew outrage Monday from local officials, although it was unrelated to Trump's order to deploy immigration officers.

FEMA also at risk

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Relief Fund is "rapidly depleting," Victoria Barton, a FEMA external affairs official, told lawmakers.

FEMA is able to continue its disaster response and recovery work as long as that fund has money, and about 10,000 of its disaster workers continue being paid through it.

Associated Press writers Wyatte Grantham-Philips in New York, Rio Yamat in Las Vegas, Russ Bynum in Houston and Gabriela Aoun Angueira in San Diego contributed to this report.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 25, 2026

Record-high passenger wait times at airports, but no deal yet on the 40th day of the shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — Air travelers are experiencing the highest wait times ever under the Transportation Security Administra...

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Kate Middleton and Prince William Step Out for Historic Ceremony Installing First Female Archbishop of Canterbury

Kate Middleton and Prince William attended a historic occasion to witness the enthronement of the new Archbishop of Canterbury

NEED TO KNOW

• The moment marks the first time in the 1,400-year history of the Church of England that a woman has led the church

• The Prince of Wales represented his father, King Charles, at the event

Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamare helping to mark history.

The Prince and Princess of Wales stepped out to witness the first woman cleric to lead the Church of England during a service at Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday, March 25.

Prince William represented his father, King Charles, 77, at the ceremony in which Dame Sarah Mullally was installed as the106thArchbishop of Canterbury. It is an established tradition that the heir to the throne takes on the role of leading the royal family in witnessing the event.

Prince William, 43, and Princess Kate, 44, arrived shortly before the service began, processing in to take their seats. They joined the congregation in singing a hymn as the larger procession entered.

The Princess of Wales wore a coat by Suzannah with a wide-brimmed hat by Juliette Botterill.

Mullally and the royal couple got to know each other furtherwhen she welcomed William and Kateto her official residence, Lambeth Palace in London, in February. She was named as the new Archbishop elect,succeeding Justin Welby, in October 2025 and then confirmed with her formal election in January.

On March 23, it emerged that Prince Williamhas been outlining his thinkingabout his own beliefs and faith. Unlike his father and his late grandmotherQueen Elizabeth, he is not a regular churchgoer. A source close to him toldThe Sunday Timeshow he felt and saw his role.

"For him, it is a drawing of a line in the sand of where he's at, and it's really important that it [the question over his commitment to the Church] is cleared up," the source said. "His feeling is, 'I might not be at church every day, but I believe in it, I want to support it, and this is an important aspect of my role and the next role, and I will take it very seriously, in my own way.' "

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After the meeting with William and Kate on Feb. 5, Mullally said, "I know we hold the same hope for a better world, and I look forward to working together in the years to come. I will continue to hold them and their family in my prayers,"PA reported.

On March 22, Dame Sarah — as she has been titled since she was honored in 2005 by the late Queen Elizabeth with the female equivalent of a knighthood — arrived in Canterbury after her six-day pilgrimage walk from London. She thanked supporters for "whichever part you played in this walk, this pilgrimage,"the BBC reported. "To have accompanied me on the way, whether physically or in prayer, I am very grateful for that, and I look forward very much to you joining with me either in person or online or in prayer on Wednesday."

Faith leaders — including a representative ofPope Leo XIVand the new Archbishop of Westminster, who heads the Catholic church in England and Wales, the Most Reverend Richard Moth — attended the service, where Moth gave a reading.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer led the representatives from government and politics, while there were also other faith leaders, representatives from charities, schools and diverse communities among the 2,000-strong congregation. Dame Sarah, who is a former chief nursing officer for England, also invited workers from the National Health Service.

The installation service was held on the Christian Feast of the Annunciation, which celebrates the appearance of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, announcing to her that she will become the mother of Jesus.

As a senior bishop of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury has crowned most monarchs over the past 1,000 years. They also marry many royal couples, with Prince William and Princess Kate married by the then-Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams in April 2011 at Westminster Abbey.

Read the original article onPeople

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 25, 2026

Kate Middleton and Prince William Step Out for Historic Ceremony Installing First Female Archbishop of Canterbury

Kate Middleton and Prince William attended a historic occasion to witness the enthronement of the new Archbishop of Cante...

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Record-high temperatures possible in 17 states as heat wave expands

Temperatures could reach record highs in 17 different states on Wednesday, asa heat wavethat has been scorching the West since last week expands into the middle of the country.

The unusually warm weather has the potential to break more than 60 records across the western half of the U.S. over the course of the day, said CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan.

Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming may all be affected, with forecasts showing temperatures rising up to, or above, 90 degrees in at least eight major cities throughout the region.

Phoenix was expected to see the most extreme conditions, after weathering triple-digit temperatures on multiple days already since the heat wave began, according to NOAA'sNational Digital Forecast Database. The Arizona capital could have a 100-degree day on Wednesday, which would exceed its daily record by four degrees. The city's current record-high temperature for this date was set in 2022.

Other cities that may break their daily records include Albuquerque, Austin, Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, Tucson and Tulsa, each of which is forecast to see temperatures reach at least 90.

Tucson could experience its hottest March 25th since 1896 if temperatures exceed 94 degrees on Wednesday, as forecasts suggest they might. Meanwhile, Tulsa could see its hottest daily temperature since 1970.

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Denver and Salt Lake City could potentially break daily records set in 2012 and 2022, respectively.

More than 200 additional daily temperature records could be broken through Sunday, said Nolan. The heat wave is forecast to slowly move eastward this week and eventually reach the East Coast on Friday.

Central states are expected to see temperatures of 30 or 40 degrees above average for the time being, and Nolan warned that warmth settling into the Northern Plains will increase fire risks in that region through Thursday.

Numerousfire weather alertswere in effect Wednesday for a large strip of the central U.S., from Montana to Texas, and forecasters warned that there is a "critical threat" of fire weather through Thursday for sections of the Rocky Mountains down to the Southern Plains. In addition to the heat, wind gusts in those areas could reach up to 40 or 50 mph this week, while relative humidity is expected to drop to as low as 4% in certain places, said Nolan. Those types of dry, blustery conditions can be conducive to wildfires.

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byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 25, 2026

Record-high temperatures possible in 17 states as heat wave expands

Temperatures could reach record highs in 17 different states on Wednesday, asa heat wavethat has been scorching the We...

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The Army is letting older recruits enlist with this new change

The U.S. Army will soon allow Americans up to age 42 to enlist, raising the maximum age and loosening some other restrictions to joinamid the ongoing war with Iran.

The rule change announced this week raises the age of eligibility from the previous 35, and will go into effect on April 20. It comes as the United States is preparing to send additional troops to the Middle East nearly one month after launching attacks on Iran alongside ally Israel on Feb. 28.

The minimum age to join remains 18, or 17 with parental permission.

According to Army Regulation 601–210, which was published with the changes on March 20, the branch has also lifted the requirement for new recruits to receive a waiver if they have up to a single prior conviction for marijuana or drug paraphernalia possession.

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Is the draft coming back?Who is required to register for Selective Service

Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Smoke rises following an explosion after the U.S. and Israel reportedly launched an attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026, in this screen grab taken from video.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.

Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his fist after disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 27, 2026. Hours later, Trump made live comments about the military strikes he launched against Iran.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Buildings inin Tehran stand after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, February 28, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Latest photos capture US and Israeli strikes against Iran

Smoke rises following an explosion,after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026.

USA TODAY has reached out to the Army to inquire about the change.

The raise in maximum age brings the Army enlistment requirements closer to other branches of the military. Branches that already set theirmaximum age to joinat 42 include the Air Force and Space Force, while the Coast Guard and Navy set the maximum at 41. The Marine Corps' maximum age to join is 28. In some cases, older applicants can receive a waiver to join the military.

Latest war updates:Trump sends Iran a peace plan as paratroops dispatched to Middle East

It's not the first time the Army has raised its age cap. In 2006, Congress authorized all branches of the military to raise their maximum ages for original enlistment to 42 and the Army temporarilyraised its limit in accordance. That change came after the Army was experiencing a slump in recruiting and while U.S. troops were deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to reporting at the time by thePueblo Chieftain, part of the USA TODAY Network.

"Raising the maximum age for Army enlistment expands the recruiting pool, provides motivated individuals an opportunity to serve and strengthens the readiness of Army units," said an Army publication in2007.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Army raises age limit to enlist to 42

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 25, 2026

The Army is letting older recruits enlist with this new change

The U.S. Army will soon allow Americans up to age 42 to enlist, raising the maximum age and loosening some other restrict...

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Stephen Colbert’s Surprising Career Change Revealed After ‘Late Show’ Cancellation

Stephen Colbert'sThe Late Showis set to wrap up in May, but the late-night host already has his next job lined up—and it's taking him all the way to Middle Earth.

As announced on social media on Tuesday night (March 24), Colbert will be writing a newLord of the Ringsmovie alongside his son, Peter McGee, and Philippa Boyens, who co-wrote the original franchise. The comedian revealed the news alongside directorPeter Jacksonin a video shared across various social media channels.

"In honor of Tolkien Reading Day and the destruction of the One Ring, we bring you a special announcement," the caption of the post read. Jackson first shared an update onLord of the Rings: Hunt for Gollum, which is currently in development from directorAndy Serkis. He then introduced Colbert to deliver the blockbuster news.

"The thing I found myself reading over and over again were the six chapters early on inThe Fellowship[of the Ring] that y'all never developed into the first movie back in the day," Colbert explained. "It's basically chapters 'Three Is Company' through 'Fog on the Barrow-downs,' and I thought, 'Oh wait, maybe that could be its own story that could fit into the larger story.'"

Colbert said he wanted to make something that was "completely faithful to the books" while also staying true to Jackson's movie adaptations. He discussed the idea with his son, who's also a screenwriter, and the pair figured out how the idea would work.

"It took me a few years to scrape my courage into a pile to give you a call, but about two years ago I did," he told Jackson. "You liked it enough to talk to me about it, and ever since then, the two of us have been working with the brilliant Philippa Boyens on how to develop this story."

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Colbert, who is a big-time Tolkien fan, said the team at Warner Bros. were also behind the idea. "I could not be happier to say that they loved it, and so that's what we're going to be working on," he stated.

The film, which currently has the working titleThe Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past, will see Colbert working alongside his son, Boyens, Jackson, and Fran Walsh.

"Fourteen years after the passing of Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin set out to retrace the first steps of their adventure. Meanwhile, Sam's daughter, Elanor, has discovered a long-buried secret and is determined to uncover why the War of the Ring was very nearly lost before it even began," reads the official synopsis.

In July 2025, CBS announced thatThe Late Showwould end in May 2026. While the network cited financial reasons for the decision, some critics called the cancelation politically motivated after Colbert called out Paramount for settling a lawsuit with President Trump amid its merger with Skydance, which required government approval.

"I believe that there is a name for that. And it would be: big fat bribe," Colbert said onThe Late Showdays after the $16 million settlement. Two days later, CBS canceled his show.

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,Weeknights, 11:35/10:35c, CBS

Read the latest entertainment news onTV Insider.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 25, 2026

Stephen Colbert’s Surprising Career Change Revealed After ‘Late Show’ Cancellation

Stephen Colbert'sThe Late Showis set to wrap up in May, but the late-night host already has his next job lined up—and...

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Gulf warnings and fears of miscalculation preceded Trump’s pause in Iran showdown

By Samia Nakhoul

DUBAI, March 24 (Reuters) - Donald Trump's abrupt pause in his showdown with Iran followed warnings from Gulf states that the war was veering into a far more perilous phase and rising fears among officials in the region that Washington had misjudged Tehran's readiness to escalate, regional sources and analysts said.

Gulf Arab states warned him directly that U.S. strikes on Iran's power plants would trigger Iranian retaliation on their own vital energy ‌and desalination facilities, according to three regional sources who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Trump had threatened to hit Iran's electricity grid unless Tehran reopened the Strait of Hormuz, which carries a fifth ‌of global energy supplies. But Iran refused to yield, the strait stayed shut, oil markets spiked and global equities fell — exposing the limits of Trump's leverage.

Iran sent a warning to Gulf capitals, via an Arab intermediary, that any U.S. strike on its power plants would unleash unlimited retaliation, two other regional sources said.

"Trump totally ​miscalculated when he said 'you've got 48 hours to open the strait'," said Alan Eyre, a former U.S. diplomat and Iran expert.

"Once it became clear Iran was serious about hitting Gulf energy infrastructure in response, he had to back down."

TRUMP IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH MIDDLE EAST PARTNERS, WHITE HOUSE SAYS

Alex Vatanka of the Middle East Institute said Tehran had surprised Trump with its ability to stay in the fight and its willingness to escalate without restraint. "They showed no inhibitions, no restrictions, no holdbacks."

There was no immediate response to requests for comment for this article from the Iranian government, Gulf Arab states and the U.S. State Department.

Asked for comment, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said President Trump had assessed that the U.S. is close to completing its defined objectives for Operation Epic Fury.

She added: "The President is in close contact with our partners in ‌the Middle East, and the terrorist Iranian regime's attacks on its neighbors prove how imperative ⁠it was that President Trump eliminate this threat to our country and our allies."

Trump's pause on strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure, the regional sources and analysts say, appeared to be a recognition the war he had threatened to escalate was already slipping beyond his control and its costs now outweighed any political advantage from projecting American strength.

Behind the scenes, efforts to curb wider spillover continued through intermediaries including ⁠Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt, as well as Gulf partners unnerved at being drawn into a war they neither chose nor controlled.

Ebtesam Al‑Ketbi, president of the Emirates Policy Center, said Trump's pause pointed to two possible trajectories.

One is tactical -- buying time to complete deployments, test Iran's response and issue a final warning before a larger strike. The other is strategic -- using de‑escalation to prepare the ground for a broader deal, including a reset of the regional security rules of engagement in the Gulf.

In either case, she said, the war has not ended; it has simply been repurposed as leverage.

GULF STATES ​WERE 'PUT ​AT ENORMOUS RISK WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT'

From the outset, Iran escalated by attacking Gulf infrastructure and shipping, raising the spectre of a prolonged shock to oil, ​gas, LNG and trade through Hormuz.

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Gulf states, Vatanka said, were left paying the highest price. "If I ‌were a Gulf leader, I'd be furious," he said.

"They were put at enormous risk without their consent, and the damage inflicted in four weeks could take years to undo."

Analysts said Trump misjudged both Iran's resilience and the scale of the regional and global fallout.

Expecting Tehran to be too weak, divided or deterred to respond forcefully, he instead faced asymmetric escalation that imposed heavy costs on U.S. partners and the global economy, analysts and officials said.

The result was a familiar Trump pivot: tough rhetoric, paired with delay. Preserving his options meant stepping back from an escalation that risked turning a show of strength into a presidency‑defining quagmire, the analysts said.

The deeper problem, analysts say, is that the war has shattered the status quo that Trump seemed to believe he could reshape. Iran, battered but not broken, has drawn a stark lesson: deterrence works. A mix of confidence and fear now shapes Tehran's calculus: Extract something durable from this war, or risk being dragged back into it, the analysts said.

For Trump, any deal would be narrower, costlier and harder to ‌sell than he might prefer.

"Iran feels partly emboldened and partly afraid," Eyre said.

"They've taken heavy damage, destruction and death, and don't want to go through ​this again. But they can't go back to the old status quo," he said, because Israel would simply "mow the grass" -- attack -- again.

IRAN SEEKS BROADER SETTLEMENT, NEW ​REGIONAL ORDER

Senior sources in Tehran said Iran's negotiating stance has hardened sharply since the war began, signaling that any serious ​talks could come at a steep price for Trump.

Iran would seek binding guarantees against future military action, compensation for wartime losses and formal control over Hormuz, the sources said.

Any Iranian attempt at controlling the strait ‌would alarm the Gulf states who share the waterway and worry that Iran will seek a ​new regional hegemony harmful to their interests.

Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman of the ​Saudi‑based Gulf Research Center, told Reuters the strait "remains a vital strategic and economic route, and its stability is non-negotiable."

Vali Nasr, an Iranian-American academic and foreign policy expert, said Iran is no longer seeking a return to the pre‑war status quo but a broader settlement -- one that would include security guarantees, economic relief and a different balance of power in the Gulf.

U.S. officials, the regional sources say, appear willing to engage indirectly with Iran through intermediaries, suggesting a potential back-channel for ​negotiations even as both sides publicly maintain a hard line.

Central to any potential deal, analysts say, ‌is Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, a former Revolutionary Guards commander with the stature to negotiate while retaining credibility with hardliners.

Even as Tehran signals openness to talks, its stance remains cautious, projecting deterrence while scarred by ​the damage it has sustained. This reflects a strategy of showing strength without inviting further destruction, said Iranian‑American historian Arash Azizi.

Any resolution, he adds, would likely require regional buy-in and potentially backing from global powers such as ​Russia or China.

(Additional reporting by Humeyra Pamuk in Washington and Parisa Hafezi in Dubai; Writing by Samia Nakhoul, Editing by William Maclean)

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 25, 2026

Gulf warnings and fears of miscalculation preceded Trump’s pause in Iran showdown

By Samia Nakhoul DUBAI, March 24 (Reuters) - Donald Trump's abrupt pause in his showdown with Iran followe...

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Taylor Frankie Paul under investigation over allegation of third domestic violence incident

Officials are investigating allegations of a third domestic violence incident involving "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" starsTaylor Frankie Pauland Dakota Mortensen, a police spokesman told NBC News on Tuesday.

Mortensen contacted the West Jordan, Utah, Police Department last month with allegations of domestic violence against Paul stemming from an incident in 2024, the spokesman said, adding that he could not provide further details, citing the open investigation.

He said the department is reviewing multiple videos connected to the alleged event to figure out details and timelines. The spokesman said he could not share the exact dates of the 2024 incident.

Police have only Mortensen's account of the alleged 2024 incident, the spokesman said.

The police department has not yet spoken to Paul, but investigators have spoken with her attorney, the spokesman said. Investigators would like Paul to either submit a written statement or come in for an interview to help corroborate some of the details in Mortensen's report, the spokesman said.

Representatives for both Paul and Mortensen declined to comment.

When Mortensen first called, the West Jordan spokesman said, he told officials that he was referred to the West Jordan Police Department by the Draper Police Department because of the jurisdiction of the 2024 incident.

Draper police told NBC News that a separate open domestic violence investigation into Paul and Mortensen, with allegations on both sides, was called in on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25.

Draper police declined to share further details.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sam Gill said in a statement Tuesday that his office "requested all the investigative material to screen the most recent allegations for charges" and confirmed that his office was looking into a case submitted by Draper police.

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Gill added in the statement: "We made the request because of the potential that if charges are filed, they could be enhanced due to a prior plea in abeyance to a domestic violence offense."

Court records indicate that Paul pleaded guilty in abeyance to an aggravated assault charge in August that stemmed from a 2023 domestic violence incident.

Four other charges in that case — including assault, criminal mischief and domestic violence in the presence of a child — were dismissed with prejudice, the records show.

The bodycam video of the 2023 arrest was shown on the first episode of "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" — the Hulu reality series that elevated Paul from her "MomTok" online community to a household name.

TMZ published video Thursdaythat appeared to show Paul attacking Mortensenand reportedly portrayed the incident in which Paul was arrested in 2023, according to TMZ. That video led to ABC's decision to pullPaul's season of "The Bachelorette,"which was supposed to premiere Sunday.

Last week, a spokesperson for Paul said she "is very grateful for ABC's support as she prioritizes her family's safety and security."

"After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm," the spokesperson continued.

Reached for comment Thursday, Paul said: "I will have my truth."

Filming for Season Five of "Mormon Wives"has been on pauseamid new reports of a domestic violence investigation. One source said the cast unanimously decided to pause filming until legal action played out. That was after Hulu executives witnessed cast members on "Mormon Wives" discussing allegations of domestic violence during filming, the source said.

Cast members on "Mormon Wives" alsoraised concerns to ABC executivesabout Paul's behavior before the reports of a new domestic violence incident emerged, according to audio of a call between the cast and the executives on March 7, which was shared with NBC News.

Season Four of "Mormon Wives" premiered on March 12.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 25, 2026

Taylor Frankie Paul under investigation over allegation of third domestic violence incident

Officials are investigating allegations of a third domestic violence incident involving "Secret Lives of Mormon Wive...

Read More