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The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Mon Mar 10 2025

Nicole Fallert | Newsletter Writer

@nicolefallert

•	Canada's new prime minister has his sights set on fighting President Donald Trump's tariffs.
•	Wildfires blazed over the weekend in the Hamptons.
•	Did actor Gene Hackman even know his wife was dead?

🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Groggy this morning? Blame Daylight Savings.

Harvard grad. Former banker: Meet Canada's new prime minister

"Donald Trump has put unjustified tariffs on what we build, on what we sell, on how we earn a living. He's attacking Canadian workers, families, and businesses. We can't let him succeed and we won't."

~ Incoming Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in his first speech since being elected as Liberal Party leader on Sunday. He directly spoke about President Trump and the threat against Canadians.

Mark Carney makes a "W" gesture to signify his win in the race to become the leader of Canada's ruling Liberal Party, succeeding Justin Trudeau as prime minister.

Blair Gable, REUTERS

Wildfires break out on Long Island

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency after wildfires blazed Saturday afternoon in the Hamptons. There is no threat to homes at this time, officials said, but fires are burning close to roads and drivers, and smoke could be seen for miles. Strong winds and dry conditions kept one fire burning, Long Island officials said. There was no indication of when the remaining fire would be contained.

More news to know now

•	A plane carrying 5 people crashed near a Pennsylvania airport.
•	Federal agents arrested a Palestinian student protester at Columbia University.
•	A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck near Malibu.
•	Is the U.S. headed for a recession?
•	A University of Pittsburgh student is missing on a spring break trip to the Dominican Republic.

Wake up slowly with today's crossword. Sally's hint: FaceTime.

Mass layoffs are coming for Veterans Affairs

Veterans groups, Democrats and some Republicans have voiced concern over planned reductions at the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is seeking to cut more than 80,000 workers from the agency starting in June. The scale of the layoffs at the VA is greater than proposed cuts at other agency and will hit a department that looks after a group that typically garners wide bipartisan support in the U.S., its military veterans. Advocates say the cuts veterans' health benefits in "grave danger."

A Truth Social post, a dinner and a reported feud

Shortly after President Donald Trump attempted to clamp down on a recent report of an explosive cabinet meeting between billionaire Elon Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he ate dinner with the duo. The dinner follows a New York Times report that Musk and Rubio clashed at a Cabinet meeting last week, with Trump present, about the former senator failing to cut his staff. The Times reported Rubio had been "privately furious" with Musk for weeks as DOGE gutted the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which was being overseen by the ex-Florida lawmaker. The argument, according to the Times, dragged on for an "uncomfortable time."

Today's talkers

•	Advanced copies of books are the new designer bag.
•	Time to start your March Madness bracket research.
•	Robert Pattinson breaks down that hopeful "Mickey 17" ending.
•	Blake Lively stepped out at SXSW amid competing lawsuits.
•	A new travel ban is coming.

A mask, a cane and a frantic dog: The final hours of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa

Betsy Arakawa was already dead, splayed on a bathroom floor of the Santa Fe home she shared with celebrated actor Gene Hackman, who didn't make any calls or otherwise ask for help for the seven days he outlived his wife. Hackman, 95, racked by advanced Alzheimer's disease, then died in a mudroom on the other side of the house, a cane and sunglasses nearby. What exactly did Hackman do during that time?

Photo of the day: Taking the walk in Selma

Thousands made the pilgrimage to Selma, Alabama, on Sunday to the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, a day that lead to passage of the Voting Rights Act and enact real change in the nation. As marchers crossed the bridge at about noon, rain began to fall while they sang "We Shall Overcome."

Marchers take part in the 60th Anniversary commemoration of the Bloody Sunday Bridge Crossing in Selma, Ala., on Sunday March 9, 2025.

Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here . Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.