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# 🏛️ POLITICS
Story 1 of 3 (~2 min read)
DHS Shutdown Stretches to 36 Days as Congress Deadlocks Over Competing Demands
The partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security has now lasted 36 days, with Senate Republicans and Democrats at an impasse over competing legislative priorities. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer attempted to advance a standalone bill funding only the Transportation Security Administration on Saturday, but Republicans blocked the measure. Meanwhile, President Trump threatened to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to U.S. airports on Monday if Democrats do not agree to his terms, which include citizenship verification requirements for voting. Elon Musk offered to cover TSA worker salaries during the funding lapse. The standoff has caused widespread airport disruptions, with security lines extending significantly at major hubs as agents continue working without pay.
How it's being covered:
Fox News reports that Senate Republicans voted to block Schumer's TSA funding bill, stating that Senate Majority Leader John Thune called the measure "convoluted" and that it does not handle appropriations properly. (link)
The Guardian reports that Trump threatened to deploy ICE agents to airports on Monday unless Democrats agree to fund the Department of Homeland Security, characterizing his statement as an escalation in the shutdown standoff. (link)
Axios reports that Elon Musk offered to personally pay TSA salaries during the funding impasse and notes that Trump suggested deploying ICE agents as an alternative to normal airport security operations. (link)
Washington Examiner reports that Senate Republicans blocked Schumer's effort to fund TSA, stating the minority leader attempted to suspend Senate rules to advance the bill through the Rules Committee. (link)
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Senate Debates SAVE America Act as Republicans Push Voter ID and Election Security Measures
The Senate held a weekend session to debate the SAVE America Act, a Republican-backed bill requiring citizenship verification and photo identification in federal elections. The legislation has faced Democratic opposition and remains short of the votes needed to advance, according to Sen. Bill Cassidy. Republicans introduced amendments linking voter ID requirements to transgender sports participation policies, but Democrats blocked those amendments. The bill's debate reflects a deeper partisan disagreement over election security measures, with Democrats blocking a standalone voter ID bill on Friday.
How it's being covered:
Newsmax reports that Sen. Bill Cassidy said Saturday he did not expect the SAVE America Act to pass the Senate that day, acknowledging the bill remained short of necessary votes. (link)
Zero Hedge reports that the Senate is working through the weekend debating the SAVE America Act, a bill requiring citizenship verification and photo identification for federal elections. (link)
Fox News reports that Senate Republicans' floor takeover of the SAVE America Act entered its fifth day and states that Republicans are using floor strategy to shift blame to Democrats for the bill's expected failure. (link)
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Robert Mueller Dies at 81; Trump Posts Contentious Reaction on Social Media
Robert Mueller, the former FBI director who led the special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential ties to Trump's campaign, died Friday at age 81. His family stated he died of natural causes after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Mueller served as FBI director for 12 years and directed the investigation that resulted in multiple indictments and criminal convictions of people in Trump's orbit. President Trump posted on Truth Social that he was "glad" Mueller had died, writing "he can no longer hurt innocent people." The reaction sparked widespread criticism from Democratic lawmakers and commentary in major outlets.
How it's being covered:
NPR reports that Robert Mueller, former FBI director and special counsel, has died at age 81, noting that Mueller's family disclosed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. (link)
The Guardian reports that Mueller has died and states that Trump posted on Truth Social that he was "glad" Mueller had died, writing he can "no longer hurt innocent people," and reports that Trump was described as "vile, disgusting" and a "sick human being" by various figures. (link)
Washington Examiner reports that Mueller died at age 81 and includes Trump's statement that he was "glad," stating that Democratic lawmakers called out the president over his social media post. (link)
Axios reports that Mueller, who led the special counsel investigation into Russian interference and ties to Trump, has died at age 81, and notes that Trump posted he was "glad he's dead." (link)
🌍 WORLD
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Cuba Plunges Into Darkness for Third Time in March as Power Grid Collapses
Cuba's national electrical grid suffered a complete blackout on Saturday, marking the third total collapse of the island's power system in March. More than 10 million people were left without electricity as the communist government battles with deteriorating infrastructure and a U.S.-imposed oil blockade. The Cuban Electric Union announced the blackout without initially providing a cause. The repeated outages have created severe hardship for residents already facing widespread shortages of basic necessities and limited access to fuel for power generation. This represents the second major blackout in a single week.
How it's being covered:
NPR reports that Cuba's power grid collapsed Saturday, leaving the country without electricity for a third time in March as the government faces a decaying infrastructure and a U.S.-imposed oil blockade. (link)
BBC reports that more than 10 million people are enduring power cuts after Cuba's national electrical grid collapsed again, and notes this represents another total failure of the power grid. (link)
Al Jazeera reports that Cuba's power grid collapsed for a third time in March, stating the country is hit by a second blackout in a week amid the U.S.-imposed oil blockade. (link)
Bloomberg reports that Cuba's electricity grid suffered another blackout on Saturday, the second major hit to its energy system in a week, amid the U.S. administration fuel embargo and pressure on the Havana government. (link)
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Trump Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum to Iran Over Strait of Hormuz as Missile Attacks Escalate
President Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran on Saturday, threatening to "obliterate" the country's power plants if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz for commercial ship traffic. The ultimatum came as Iran and Israel continued exchanging strikes on each other's nuclear development sites, with Iranian missiles injuring over 160 people in Israeli towns near nuclear facilities. Iran responded to Trump's threat by vowing to target U.S. energy infrastructure in the region if attacked. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint carrying roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas, has remained effectively closed for weeks amid the ongoing conflict. Multiple nations, including the G7, have signaled commitment to protecting global energy supplies amid the crisis.
How it's being covered:
Al Jazeera reports that Trump threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened within 48 hours, and states that Iran responded by vowing to retaliate and target U.S. infrastructure if attacked. (link)
Bloomberg reports that Trump threatened to attack Iran's power plants if the country does not swiftly reopen the Strait of Hormuz for commercial ship traffic after passage of oil and gas cargoes was paralyzed. (link)
Washington Examiner reports that Trump has given Iran two days to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes targeting power plants, quoting Trump's statement that the U.S. will "hit and obliterate their various" facilities. (link)
Fox News reports that Trump warned Iran it has 48 hours to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or the U.S. will strike and obliterate its power plants, starting with the largest. (link)
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⚽ SPORTS
Story 1 of 2 (~2 min read)
NCAA Tournament Advances With Arkansas Surviving Scare, Nebraska Escaping Vanderbilt
No. 4-seeded Arkansas advanced to the Sweet 16 after narrowly defeating 12th-seeded High Point in a tightly contested game, with Darius Acuff Jr. scoring 36 points and adding six assists to lead the Razorbacks. In another close matchup, Nebraska advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time after Vanderbilt's half-court heave at the buzzer nearly went in, allowing the Cornhuskers to escape with a victory. The results marked dramatic tournament moments as higher seeds faced upset-minded challengers during the opening rounds of March Madness.
How it's being covered:
NY Post reports that Darius Acuff Jr. had 36 points and six assists to help No. 4-seeded Arkansas survive a scare from 12th-seeded High Point. (link)
NY Post reports that Nebraska advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time after Vanderbilt's half-court heave at the buzzer nearly went in. (link)
📈 MARKET SIGNALS
The Iran War's Economic Shocks Ripple Across Global Energy and Supply Chains
Energy prices have surged dramatically across global markets as the ongoing Iran conflict threatens critical shipping lanes and production facilities. Natural gas prices have climbed to their highest levels in nearly three years, with diesel prices jumping nearly 40% this month—surpassing the 2022 spike following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Strait of Hormuz closure has created a cascading effect across logistics, trucking, shipping, and industrial operations. Airlines including United are warning of potential fuel costs reaching $175 per barrel under worst-case scenarios. The European Union has urged member states to begin filling gas storage early to avoid competition for supplies that could spike prices over summer. Simultaneously, U.S. interest in electric vehicles has surged as gasoline prices climb, with online searches for electric and hybrid cars increasing significantly. The Federal Reserve contends with uncertainty around how the conflict will affect business investment and inflation going forward, with former Vice Chair Randal Quarles warning that economic impacts could arrive sooner than expected.
⚡ QUICK HITS
⚡ Sudan Hospital Strike Kills 64, Including 13 Children — The World Health Organization reports that at least 64 people, including at least 13 children, were killed in a strike on a teaching hospital in Sudan's western Darfur region, rendering the facility nonfunctional. (link) (link)
⚡ Hawaii Faces Worst Flooding in 20+ Years as Evacuations Ordered — Hawaii officials urged residents in hard-hit areas of Oahu and Maui to evacuate immediately as the state faces its worst flooding in more than 20 years, with more rain expected over the weekend and drone footage showing extensive damage across the North Shore. (link) (link)
⚡ Saudi Arabia Expels Five Iranian Diplomats Over Regional Tensions — Saudi Arabia declared five Iranian diplomats persona non grata and ordered them to leave within 24 hours, citing Iran's "continued attacks" and following an Iranian strike on the Red Sea port of Yanbu, the kingdom's main oil export outlet. (link) (link)
⚡ Spyware Once Used by Governments Now Spreading to Cybercriminals — Cybercriminal groups are now using spyware tools once utilized mainly by law enforcement to hack into iPhones, with researchers uncovering two campaigns in the last month that exploit iPhone vulnerabilities to siphon off personal messages, photos, notes, and calendar data. (link)
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