Taylor Frankie Paul video reignites fevered online discourse around domestic violence

When a 45-second video of reality star Taylor Frankie Paul hurling metal barstools at her ex-boyfriend during a 2023 altercation surfaced just days before her season of "The Bachelorette" was set to premiere on ABC, the fallout was swift.

NBC Universal Dakota Mortensen, Taylor Frankie Paul on "The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives Reunion Special" on Hulu. (Fred Hayes / Disney)

ABC said it wouldn't air the show. Some cast membersfrom both "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives"— in which Paul stars —and the "Bachelor" universedistanced themselves. Several content creators who focus on pop culture analysiscondemnedthe display of domestic violence.

But Paul also had a slew of vocal defenders who rushed to social media to label the incident "reactive abuse," a term used to describe when an abuse victim is pushed to respond in an aggressive manner. It's a topic that often becomes an online flashpoint among advocates, experts and commentators after high-profile domestic violence cases make headlines.

"Most people online are either completely condemning Taylor or completely justifying it," Courtney Tracy, a licensed clinical social worker in California, said in avideo posted onlinelast week. "The truth is none of us really know what's going on."

In the video, seemingly captured by Paul's ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen and released by TMZ last week, Paul is seen screaming, attacking Mortensen and throwing three barstools during a February 2023 altercation at her house. Shortly after the stool is thrown, her young daughter, who was nearby on the sofa during the fight, can be heard crying.

NBC News has not independently verified the TMZ video, which does not capture what led up to the moment the video began, nor has it viewed the original full video. Court records indicate that Paul pleaded guilty in abeyance to an aggravated assault charge in August 2023.

There are currently no criminal allegations against Mortensen, who filed a temporary restraining order against Paul and was granted temporary full custody of their 2-year-old son, Ever.

But in a statement issued last week in response to the video's release, Paul's representative said the reality star is "gaining strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm."

"There are too many women who are suffering in silence as they survive aggressive, jealous ex-partners who refuse to let them move on with their lives," the spokesperson added. "Taylor has remained silent out of fear of further abuse, retaliation, and public shaming. She is currently exploring all of her options, seeking support, and preparing to own and share her story."

Mortensen also issued astatement to Peopleafter the video's release, saying: "As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation. I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same."

Dakota Mortensen, Taylor Frankie Paul on "The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives" on Hulu. (Fred Hayes /  Disney)

Online, people said they have noticed parallels between their own abusive relationships and Paul and Mortensen's on-again, off-again situation.

Some have alsopointed to the concept of DARVO, a manipulation tactic common in abusive relationships, when analyzing Paul. The acronym, whichbecame ubiquitous in the discourse around Paul, stands for "deny, attack and reverse victim and offender."

"Sometimes people are pushed to their limits if they're dealing with abuse day in and day out, mentally, physically, financially, psychologically," said Ally Langan, a social media user who shared her analysis about how there's "no perfect victim" when it comes to abuse, telling NBC News she drew from her own experiences.

"People are human, and they do get to a point where they snap, and then the abuser catches just that one moment on camera and not all the other moments leading up to it," Langan added.

The discussion mirrors other high-profile cases, including the civil trial between actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, where millions of viewers analyzed their relationship in real time and debated who was the victim.

Heard settled months after a weekslong televised trial culminated with jurors' finding that she had defamed Depp by writing in a 2018 op-ed for The Washington Post that she had become a "public figure representing domestic abuse." Although the essay never mentioned Depp by name, his attorneys said it indirectly referred to allegations she made against him during their 2016 divorce.

Read more of NBC's coverage of Taylor Frankie Paul:

During the trial,terms like "mutual abuse"and "reactive abuse" gained traction — sometimes offering language for survivors, but also, experts say, muddying distinctions around accountability.

Recent research, including a 2024 review of 64 studies, has suggested thatmore than half of intimate partner violence is bidirectional, according to Tracy, who has amassed over 146,000 followers on her @the.truth.doctor Instagram page.

There are different types of bidirectional intimate partner violence, she added, including "intimate terrorism," where violence is developed from a pattern of coercive control, and "situational couple violence," which comes from conflicts escalating.

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"The number one reason found in the research for this behavior is to get back at a partner for emotionally hurting them, followed by stress, jealousy, and trying to express anger they can't put into words," Tracy wrote in an email interview with NBC News.

The "primary aggressor" in these dynamics is "often the person who poses the most serious threat, not who necessarily struck first," she wrote. "And men and women are shown to engage in different types and levels of violence."

However, Tracy said, she refrains from speculating on the dynamic between Paul and Mortensen, adding that people online also don't have all the facts to make an accurate assessment.

"There's a lot of emotionality in the discourse around this situation, and that makes complete sense given what we're talking about," Tracy wrote in her email. "People who have been victims are often retraumatized watching this type of content online. I get why people who've watched every episode feel confident in their assessment, but as a therapist, that's just not how it works."

Armchair diagnosis by the public is "often harmful, and often incorrect," she added.

While the details of what exactly occurred that night are not immediately clear, police records and bodycam footage seem to highlight Paul's aggression toward Mortensen. The incident was even featured as a storyline in the first season of "Mormon Wives."

In the indictment against Paul, which cites a video, police say Mortensen had "redness and swelling around his eyes, swelling on his elbow, scratches on his fingers, and a laceration on his neck" from the incident. The indictment also notes that in the video, Paul's daughter is struck in the head while she is on the couch.

The video also came amid reports of a separatedomestic violence incident involving both Paul and Mortensen, which spurred apause in filming for the fifth season of "Mormon Wives" after concern from her castmates.

After production halted, a spokesperson for the Draper Police Department in Utah told People that "allegations have been made in both directions."

As the situation continues to make headlines, others online have suggested the "reactive abuse" narrative is actually harmful.

In oneresponseto the TMZ video, Ariel Hendrix, a domestic violence advocate who says she's a survivor herself, noted that claiming Paul's violence was the result of provocation can be triggering for some survivors to hear.

"Do you know what is the most frustrating thing as a domestic violence victim is? Is when someone looks at you and says: 'Well, why did he do that? What did you do to provoke him to make him act so crazy like that?'" Hendrix said. "And that's exactly what y'all are saying about Taylor here in this situation: 'Well, what did he do to provoke her?'"

Therapist Jeff Guenther, known on Instagram to his 1.5 million followers as TherapyJeff, said while it's possible "reactive abuse" does apply to Paul's case, the term has also become a "get-out-of-jail-free card."

"It is rare that we witness a man be a victim of domestic violence, and in these moments, it's important that we don't imply he had it coming or deserved it, because that's exactly what stops other men from coming forward in similar situations," Guenthersaid in a recent video.

He said that his own experiences with abusive women in his family "have been minimized my entire life because of their gender."

Unconscious bias can potentially play a role in public determinations, Tracy also noted.

"When it comes to abuse bias, research shows female-onto-male violence is seen as less serious (it shouldn't be), and that gender bias influences the perception of any gender who is being harmed," Tracy said. "The harm of that is justification of abuse, which is not okay under any circumstances."

Regardless of what led to the physical altercation, many online criticized Paul and Mortensen for putting a child in that type of situation.

"I'm not discounting that both parties can be completely toxic," "Real Housewives of New York" star Bethenny Frankel said in arecent video. "The fact remains that there was a child in a video where someone threw furniture."

If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence hotline for help at (800) 799-SAFE (7233) or go to www.thehotline.org for more. States often have domestic violence hotlines, as well.

Taylor Frankie Paul video reignites fevered online discourse around domestic violence

When a 45-second video of reality star Taylor Frankie Paul hurling metal barstools at her ex-boyfriend during a 2023 alte...
Jefferson Airplane Guitarist Reflects on Band's Formation 60 Years Ago, Says Grace Slick Changed 'Everything' (Exclusive)

Jorma Kaukonen initially planned to move to Denmark in the '60s, but joined Jefferson Airplane after being invited by Paul Kantner

People Jefferson AirplaneCredit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

  • The band solidified itself with its first album, Jefferson Airplane Takes Off, but grew to new heights after releasing Surrealistic Pillow with Grace Slick

  • Kaukonen reflects on the album's lasting legacy, calling it a "bona fide work of art" decades later

Jorma Kaukonen didn't know how big Jefferson Airplane would become when he first joined the band.

The Grammy award-winning guitarist, 85, tells PEOPLE that he first crossed paths with one of the original members at school, and they became fast friends.

"Paul Kanter had moved to San Francisco, right around the time I was graduating from the University of Santa Clara, and he met Marty Balin, the two guys are the founders of the Jefferson Airplane," he shares. "They started this band and asked me if I wanted to join."

At the time, Kaukonen had convinced himself that he was going to move to Denmark, where he would become an expat American blues musician.

Jorma KaukonenCredit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

"For better rather than worse, I think I got distracted and went to San Francisco and got snookered into playing in the band that would ultimately be called Jefferson Airplane," the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame® Inductee shares.

Aside from Kaukonen, Kanter and Balin, the original band consisted of vocalist Signe Toly Anderson, bass player Bob Harvey and drummer Jerry Peloquin. However, Jack Casady soon replaced Harvey and Skip Spence replaced Peloquin.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE'sfree daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

When the band got together, they were slated to be the house band at a club called The Matrix.

"I don't think my dreams expanded much larger than something like that," Kaukonen admits. "San Jose was a small one back in those days. I was teaching in a music store. I really had a comfortable life, and I really didn't think about being 'a star' at any level."

Jorma KaukonenCredit: Vernon Webb

Looking back at the time, he admits that he also felt a sense of "youthful self-entitlement."

"When good things happen to you when you're young, it's like, 'I really deserve this.' It's not like we worked for years and finally achieved success. The band got together in August of 1965, and we had a record deal with a major label in our city before the year was out. How many people does that happen to?" Kaukonen says.

One year after the band formed, in August 1966, they released their debut studio album,Jefferson Airplane Takes Off.While the album wasn't a chart-topping hit, it established the band in the American rock world.

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Then, in 1967, Jefferson Airplane releasedSurrealistic Pillow,the band's first album with vocalist Grace Slick and drummer Spencer Dryden. The album featured the popular songs "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit."

To Kaukonen, the album was a "major breakout for us on more levels than I can count."

"When we got Grace [Slick] in the band, everything really changed. It was a headspace thing," he shares. "I had never played in an electric band before. Everything was totally new. I'm learning how to play electric guitar, what to play in electric guitar, how to deal with the sounds, most importantly, how to play in a band."

"For me, it was all uncharted territory, and it was a quantum leap, really, fromJefferson Airplane Takes OfftoSurrealistic Pillow," Kaukonen notes.

Jefferson AirplaneCredit: CBS via Getty

TheLibrary of Congresslater recognized the album as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

"There've been a lot of legacy-related things that happened with that album that none of us could have possibly imagined or would've even wanted to imagine back in that time," he adds.

One of the things that still takes Kaukonen by surprise is that "this many years later, it's a respected work of art."

Jorma KaukonenCredit: Vernon Webb

"I don't think I would've called it that when I was a kid when we recorded, but to me, it's a bona fide work of art and to have earned the respect that it has is an honor on more levels than I can really express," Kaukonen shares.

Kaukonen says the album is "the link that created a lot of ripples that are still rippling for my pals and me."

"When you're a young, successful artist, you accept it as just the way things are. But looking back on it, it was a fortuitous set of circumstances for us," Kaukonen says.

Despite being in his 80s, the guitarist continues to play and released the albumWabash Avenuein 2025. He will tour this year, with a stop in Michigan's Historic Ironwood Theatre with John Hurlbut.

Read the original article onPeople

Jefferson Airplane Guitarist Reflects on Band's Formation 60 Years Ago, Says Grace Slick Changed 'Everything' (Exclusive)

Jorma Kaukonen initially planned to move to Denmark in the '60s, but joined Jefferson Airplane after being invited by...
'SNL UK' takes on former Prince Andrew scandal, roasts Prince William

What if formerPrince Andrew befriended Jeffrey Epsteinas part of an elaborate plan to makeKing Charles IIIlook better by comparison?

USA TODAY

That was the premise of the cold open of the latest episode of "Saturday Night Live UK," the new British spinoff of the American sketch comedy show. The sketch, which aired on March 28, depicted a fictional, secret meeting of MI5 agents in 1997. Jack Shep starred as Andrew, who, shortly after thedeath of Princess Diana, was briefed on a plan to improve Prince Charles' image.

"We have deduced that the only way to increase the likability of our future king is to decrease the likability of everyone around him," one of the agents told Andrew, who was presented with a "29-year plan to slowly, but surely, make the entire country think you are a ... well, have a little read."

Shep's Andrew flipped through documents outlining this plan and asked, "You actually want me to do all of this stuff? Even the part about befriending a notorious pedophile — before and after he's convicted?"

While the sketch spoofedAndrew's controversial ties tothe late convicted sex offender, Epstein was never mentioned by name. Andrew, who wasarrested in Februaryon suspicion of misconduct in public life, has said he regrets his friendship with Epstein and has denied wrongdoing.

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'SNL UK' saysTrump wants to 'start World War III,' mocks Prince Andrew

"This all seems very high risk. God, I'm sweating," Shep as Andrew said, a reference to the real Andrew claiming he was medically unable to sweat duringhis infamous 2019 BBC interview.

Prince Andrew arrives to attend a Requiem Mass at Westminster Cathedral in London on Sept. 16, 2025.

But the plan went beyond just Epstein: In the sketch, when Shep's Andrew pointed outPrince Williamis "so handsome" that it will be hard to make him unlikable, one of the agents said, "We're seeing to that."Prince Harry, meanwhile, will "marry a woman 98% of the UK public will find it impossible to have a normal conversation about," another agent revealed.

<p style=Police officers, unmarked vehicles and media were seen at residences linked to disgraced former royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Feb. 19, 2026. Windsor was reportedly arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on the Sandringham estate. In a statement, Thames Valley police said they were also "carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk" as part of the investigation. See the scene outside various residences, beginning here near the entrance to Wood Farm in Sandringham, Norfolk.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=The media gather to report near the home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Feb. 19, 2026, in Sandringham, Norfolk.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Unmarked police vehicles enter the gates of the Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former residence in Windsor Great Park, on Feb. 19, 2026, in Windsor, England.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=In this photo illustration, a statement from His Majesty King Charles III via communications at Buckingham Palace pledges his "full and wholehearted support and co-operation" to the "appropriate authorities" in response to the arrest of his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Unmarked vehicles exit the gates of the Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former residence in Windsor Great Park, Feb. 19, 2026, in Windsor, England.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=A person steps out of unmarked car at the home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Feb. 19, 2026, in Sandringham, Norfolk.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Unmarked police vehicles exit the gates of the Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former residence in Windsor Great Park, Feb. 19, 2026, in Windsor, England.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Unmarked vehicles exit the gates of the Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former residence in Windsor Great Park, Feb. 19, 2026, in Windsor, England.

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

Police investigate homes tied to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor amid his arrest

Police officers, unmarked vehicles and media were seen at residences linked todisgraced former royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsoron Feb. 19, 2026. Windsor wasreportedly arrestedon suspicion of misconduct in public office on the Sandringham estate. In a statement, Thames Valley police said they were also "carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk" as part of the investigation. See the scene outside various residences, beginning here near the entrance to Wood Farm in Sandringham, Norfolk.

This was the second-ever episode of "Saturday Night Live UK," which premiered March 21. The series'first cold opendepictedPrime Minister Keir Starmer(George Fouracres) being nervous to callPresident Donald Trumpand wanting to avoid conflict with the U.S. president. Trump shared a portion of the sketch on Truth Social, though he did not include the second half, during which Fouracres as Starmer remarked that Trump wants to "start World War III."

Prince. Epstein. Arrest.How Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor fell from grace

Jamie Dornanhosted the March 28 episode of "SNL UK," which will be available to watch in the U.S. on Peacock.Riz Ahmedis set to host the next episode on April 4, the same day thatJack Blackwill host the American version of "Saturday Night Live."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'SNL UK' cold open mocks former Prince Andrew, Prince William

'SNL UK' takes on former Prince Andrew scandal, roasts Prince William

What if formerPrince Andrew befriended Jeffrey Epsteinas part of an elaborate plan to makeKing Charles IIIlook better by ...
Israeli parliament approves 2026 state budget, spokesperson says

March 30 (Reuters) - Israel's parliament approved the 2026 state budget, a Knesset spokesperson said in a ‌statement early on Monday, allowing Prime Minister Benjamin ‌Netanyahu's government to head off early elections as his country's ​joint war with the U.S. on Iran continues.

Reuters

The approval of the defence-heavy 699-billion shekel budget comes a month into the war, with Israel also fighting against Hezbollah ‌in Lebanon and ⁠its cost to the economy standing at about $1.6 billion a week.

Failure to approve the ⁠budget would have likely triggered a snap election within 90 days, which opinion polls so far have ​predicted Netanyahu ​would lose.

The election is ​due in late October ‌though a date has yet to be set. Netanyahu has said it could be held in September.

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The budget's last-minute passage removes a key overhang for Israel's financial markets and economy, which has been operating since ‌the start of the year ​on a pro-rated 2025 budget.

By ​adding another 32 ​billion shekels for defence, the budget deficit ‌target was raised to some ​5% of ​gross domestic product.

This has raised the prospects of inflationary effects that will also continue to prevent ​a return ‌to responsible fiscal policies while preventing further interest ​rate reductions.

(Reporting by Steven Scheer; Editing by Edmund ​Klamann and Jonathan Oatis)

Israeli parliament approves 2026 state budget, spokesperson says

March 30 (Reuters) - Israel's parliament approved the 2026 state budget, a Knesset spokesperson said in a ‌statement ...
Border czar says ICE may not leave airports once TSA officers are paid

Border czar Tom Homan said Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would remain at airports until TSA officers are able to resume normal operations.

NBC Universal Image: White House Border Czar Tom Homan Speaks To Reporters At The White House (Andrew Harnik / Getty Images file)

"We're going to continue an ICE presence there, and until the airports feel like they're in 100%, you know, in a posture where they can do normal operations," Homan said in an interview on CBS News' "Face the Nation." "So if less TSA agents come back, that means we'll keep more ICE agents there."

His comments come days after President Donald Trump directed the Department of Homeland Security to pay Transportation Security Administration officers as the partial shutdown continues. Homan said in a separate Sunday interview on CNN's "State of the Union" that TSA officers will "hopefully" get paid by Monday or Tuesday.

Asked on CNN whether ICE agents would leave airports once TSA officers start getting paid, Homan said, "We'll see."

Three ICE agents watch a line of people inside of an airport (Adam Gray / Reuters)

"It depends how many TSA agents come back to work, how many TSA agents have actually quit and have no plan of coming back to work. I'm working very closely with TSA administrator and the ICE director to decide what airport needs what," he said.

"God bless the men women of ICE," Homan continued, saying that ICE agents were "plugging those holes" at airports. Homan said that ICE agents were helping with tasks like identification checks and protecting exit lanes.

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Approximately500 TSA workers have quitsince the start of the shutdown, according to DHS. In addition, thousands of TSA workers have called out of work as the shutdown stretched on and TSA employees went without paychecks. The shortages have led to long wait times at security checkpoints across the country, with some of the hardest hit airports seeing hourslong lines.

A top TSA officialtestifiedbefore Congress last week that it takes approximately four to six months to train transportation security officers.

On Friday, House Republicans passed a short-term DHS funding bill that does not have enough support in the Senate to become law. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., rejecteda Senate-passed billthat would have funded all of DHS except for immigration enforcement and deportation operations.

The DHS shutdown became thelongest partial government shutdownin U.S. history on Sunday, and there is no clear path forward for funding the department. The House and Senate are scheduled to be on recess for the next two weeks.

A source familiar with the ongoing negotiations over DHS funding told NBC News that Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has sent guidance to his members that he is continuing to talk with Senate Democrats to see if there is some form of legislation they would agree to that would end the standoff.

Thune made it clear to his fellow Republicans that Senate Democrats have repeatedly rejected short-term funding plans for DHS that provide funding for ICE and Customs and Border Patrol, like the one the House passed. At this point, there is no plan to call the Senate back to session.

Border czar says ICE may not leave airports once TSA officers are paid

Border czar Tom Homan said Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would remain at airports until TSA offi...
Pakistan prepares to host peace talks as Iran accuses US of ground assault plans

(Adds no comment from State Department and White House, IAEA statement on Khondab, U.S. political reaction in paragraphs 4, 30-37)

Reuters Foreign Ministers Badr Abdelatty of Egypt, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, Ishaq Dar of Pakistan and Hakan Fidan of Turkey meet to discuss regional de-escalation, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Islamabad, Pakistan, March 29, 2026. Muammer Tan/Turkish Foreign MinistryHandout via REUTERS Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud and Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meet at the Prime Minister's House to discuss regional de-escalation, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Islamabad, Pakistan, March 29, 2026. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Handout via REUTERS A mourner reacts as she attends a funeral ceremony for victims of Israeli and U.S. strikes, in Tehran, Iran, March 9. Majid Asgaripour/WANA Smoke rises after a reported strike on Shahran fuel tanks in Tehran, Iran, March 8. Majid Asgaripour/WANA A view inside a cafe near the site of the Qatari Al-Araby TV and business building damaged by a strike, as the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran continues, in Tehran, Iran, March 29, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A People attend a gathering to support Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei in Tehran, Iran, March 9. Majid Asgaripour/WANA Emergency responders work at a site of the Qatari Al-Araby TV and business building damaged by a strike, as the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran continues, in Tehran, Iran, March 29, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

Pakistan hosts talks with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt to discuss regional de-escalation, in Islamabad

By Asif Shahzad, Alexander Cornwell and Sabrina Valle

ISLAMABAD/TEL AVIV, March 29 (Reuters) - Pakistan said on Sunday it was preparing to host "meaningful talks" to end the conflict over Iran in coming days even though Tehran earlier accused Washington of preparing a land assault while seeking negotiations.

Speaking after talks between regional foreign ministers, ‌Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said they had covered possible ways to bring an early and permanent end to the war in the region as well as potential U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad.

"Pakistan will be honoured to host ‌and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in coming days, for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the ongoing conflict," he said. It was not immediately clear whether the U.S. and Iran had agreed to attend.

The U.S. State Department and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment ​on potential talks in Pakistan.

Complicating Pakistan's bid are the maximalist positions set out by the United States, Israel and Iran on what it would take to end the conflict.

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf earlier accused the U.S. of sending messages about possible negotiations while at the same time planning to send in troops, adding that Tehran was ready to respond if U.S. soldiers were deployed.

"As long as the Americans seek Iran's surrender, our response is that we will never accept humiliation," he said in a message to the nation.

REGIONAL POWERS PROPOSE PLANS TO REOPEN STRAIT OF HORMUZ

Initial discussions between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt had focused on proposals to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, sources familiar with the matter said.

Iran's effective blockade of oil and gas shipments through the strait since ‌the U.S. and Israel began attacking the country on February 28 is spreading economic pain ⁠around the world.

As the conflict entered its second month, it showed no signs of slowing. Israel's military said it had launched over 140 air strikes on central and western Iran, including Tehran, over the 24 hours to Sunday evening, hitting ballistic missile launch sites and storage facilities, among other targets.

The director of the World Health Organization said Israel's expanding military operations in southern Lebanon had resulted ⁠in the death of "yet another" health worker after 51 had already been killed. Israel says Iran-backed Hezbollah militants use medical facilities for cover, which the group denies.

A chemical plant in southern Israel near the city of Beer Sheva was hit by a missile or missile debris as Israel fended off multiple salvos from Iran, prompting official warnings to the public to stay away due to "hazardous materials".

Another missile hit open ground near homes in Beer Sheva, located near several military bases, injuring 11 people.

The war has killed thousands of people and hit countries across the ​Middle ​East: major aluminium plants in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates were damaged by air strikes over the weekend.

The UAE is seeking reparations from ​Iran for attacks on civilians and vital facilities and guarantees to prevent any repetition, an adviser ‌to the president said.

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Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis joined the conflict on Saturday, launching their first attacks on Israel and raising the prospect they could target and thus block a second key shipping route, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

U.S. MARINES START ARRIVING IN MIDDLE EAST

Washington has dispatched thousands of Marines to the Middle East, with the first of two contingents arriving on Friday aboard an amphibious assault ship, the U.S. military has said.

The Washington Post quoted U.S. officials as saying the Pentagon was preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, adding that it was not yet clear if President Donald Trump would approve such plans.

Reuters has reported that the Pentagon has considered military options that could include ground forces.

Trump faces a stark choice between seeking a negotiated exit or a military escalation that risks a protracted crisis that would likely weigh further on his already low approval ratings.

Washington said last week it had offered a 15-point ceasefire plan, with a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restrict Iran's nuclear programme, but Tehran ‌has rejected the proposal and put forward alternatives of its own.

ISRAEL HITS DOZENS OF TARGETS ACROSS IRAN

An Israeli official said Israel would continue ​carrying out strikes against Iran on what were described as military targets, adding there was no intention to scale back the campaign ahead of any ​possible talks between Washington and Tehran.

A building housing Qatar's Al-Araby TV in Tehran was hit on Sunday, the semi-official Mehr ​news agency reported.

"The missile hit. The ceiling and everything fell on our heads. … There was no military target here," said Al-Araby camera operator Mohammadreza Shademan.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said on Sunday that ‌Iran's heavy water production plant at Khondab, which the country reported had been attacked on Friday, ​had suffered severe damage and is no longer operational. The installation ​contains no declared nuclear material, the U.N. nuclear watchdog added in a social media post on X.

The increasingly unpopular war has weighed on Trump's Republican Party. Demonstrators took to city streets across the U.S. on Saturday in protests against the conflict.

U.S. political figures offered sharply different assessments on the duration of the conflict and its aims.

"It is going to be a matter of weeks when all of the objectives will be carried out," Republican Senate candidate Andy ​Barr said on the "Fox News Sunday" program. "This is not going to be an occupation of ‌Tehran."

But Democratic lawmakers said the strategy was failing, citing U.S. casualties and Iran's ongoing attacks on nearby regions. "This president is pushing us further and further into a conflict with no foreseeable off-ramp," Senator Cory Booker, a ​New Jersey Democrat, told NBC's "Meet the Press."

Energy analyst Daniel Yergin warned a prolonged war would hurt the global economy and the U.S., with California particularly exposed due to its reliance on imported oil.

(Reporting by Reuters ​bureaux; Writing by David Stanway, Crispian Balmer and Philippa Fletcher; Editing by Helen Popper, Alexander Smith, Ros Russell and Deepa Babington)

Pakistan prepares to host peace talks as Iran accuses US of ground assault plans

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'#FreeTiger': Fans wear Tiger Woods mugshot T-shirts at Houston Open

The fame that Tiger Woods has garnered over his many years as one of the world's top golfers does come with its drawbacks. After the 15-time major winner wasinvolved in a rollover crash Friday, then arrested andcharged with a DUI, his latest mugshot quickly made the rounds on social media.

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Less than two days later, that same mugshot can be seen on several T-shirts, worn by fans at theTexas Children's Houston Open, with the words "#FreeTiger" underneath.

Woods, 50, is no stranger to fans repping his mugshots. Following a 2017 DUI arrest, Woods' mugshot was used similarly on shirts and signs at PGA Tour events.

What happened with Tiger Woods on Friday?

Woods was involved in a rollover crash, and when authorities arrived, they determined Woods was impaired. He was transported to Martin County Jail, where he remained until Friday night. Although Woods passed a breathalyzer test at the facility, he refused to take a urine test, which got him arrested on suspicion of DUI, property damage and refusal to submit a lawful test.

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Has Woods made any statement since?

Woods has yet to make a statement following the accident.Woods had just participated in the TGL Finalsfollowing a year hiatus thanks to Achilles injury in March 2025 and a back surgery in October that year. There had been speculation that Woods might participate at the 2026 Masters Tournament – set to start on April 9 – though his status for Augusta National is now unclear.

<p style=Tiger Woods was arrested for driving under the influence after a car crash in Florida on Friday, March 27, the Martin County Sheriff's Office said. Woods and the other driver involved in the two-car crash were not injured. Photos release by Martin County Sheriff's Office show the scene of the crash.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=The crash took place in Jupiter Island, Florida. Mark Steinberg, Woods' longtime agent, did not immediately respond to a request for information about Woods' condition.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Woods and the other driver involved in the two-car crash were not injured, authorities said during a news conference on Friday, March 27.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Tiger Woods rollover crash on Jupiter Island on March 27, 2026. The crash occurred just after 2 p.m. local time in the 200 block of Beach Road.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=The Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) on the scene believes Woods' impairment stemmed from "some kind of medication or drug,'' according to the sheriff. While a breath test showed that Woods was not under the influence of alcohol, he refused a urinalysis test and was charged with the misdemeanor.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek speaks about Tiger Woods' rollover crash on Jupiter Island on March 27, 2026 at Jupiter Island Town Hall.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Tiger Woods rollover crash on Jupiter Island on March 27, 2026. The crash occurred just after 2 p.m. local time in the 200 block of Beach Road.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek speaks about Tiger Woods' rollover crash on Jupiter Island on March 27, 2026 at Jupiter Island Town Hall.

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

Photos show aftermath of Tiger Woods rollover crash in Florida

Tiger Woodswas arrested for driving under the influence after a carcrash in Floridaon Friday, March 27, the Martin County Sheriff's Office said. Woods and the other driver involved in the two-car crash were not injured. Photos release by Martin County Sheriff's Office show the scene of the crash.

Have other golfers received similar 'mugshot' treatment?

Though not a DUI, fans at the 2024 PGA Championship famously wore Scottie Scheffler's mugshot during the tournament after the golfer got into an altercation with a police officer ahead of the tournament's second round. He was charged with second-degree assault of a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding signals.

Scheffler took the incident in stride though, and the altercation was even joked about during Scheffler's appearance in 2025'sHappy Gilmore 2, where Scheffler throws a hockey punch against a rival golfer and is taken away in handcuffs before saying "Oh no, not again."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Tiger Woods mugshot T-shirts worn by fans at Houston Open

'#FreeTiger': Fans wear Tiger Woods mugshot T-shirts at Houston Open

The fame that Tiger Woods has garnered over his many years as one of the world's top golfers does come with its drawb...

 

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