5 things to know for April 3: Cabinet shakeup, Artemis II mission, Iran war, Mortgage rates, Trump’s ballroom
By Alexandra Banner, CNN
Gas averaging $4 a gallon may feel steep to American drivers, but it’s nowhere near the global ceiling. In one major Asian city, prices are nearing $16 a gallon.
Here’s what else you need to know to get up to speed and on with your day.
1️⃣ Cabinet shakeup
President Donald Trump has fired Pam Bondi as attorney general, raising fresh questions about who will lead the Department of Justice. For now, she will be replaced by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump said. The president offered warm words about her tenure in his administration on Thursday. But behind the scenes, sources say Trump had grown frustrated with Bondi on several fronts — including her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and a perceived lack of action against his political opponents. She is the second Cabinet secretary ousted in recent weeks, following the dismissal of Kristi Noem from the Department of Homeland Security last month.
2️⃣ Artemis II mission
Four astronauts aboard NASA’s Artemis II mission are now on course for the moon after completing the critical translunar injection burn, or TLI. The crew will spend about eight more days in space — and they are aiming to travel farther from Earth than any humans in history, surpassing an Apollo-era record. “Humanity has once again shown what we are capable of, and it’s your hopes for the future that carry us now on this journey around the moon,” Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen said in the crew’s first words since they set course. “With this burn to the moon, we do not leave Earth. We choose it,” astronaut Christina Koch also said before the TLI.
3️⃣ Iran war
Roughly half of Iran’s missile launchers remain intact and thousands of one-way attack drones are still in its arsenal despite weeks of daily US and Israeli strikes on military targets, according to recent US intelligence assessments, three sources familiar with the intel told CNN. “They are still very much poised to wreak absolute havoc throughout the entire region,” one of the sources said of Iran. The findings suggest the US has degraded Iran’s military strength, but they also paint a more nuanced picture of Iran’s continuing capabilities compared to sweeping assessments of military victory offered by President Trump and administration officials.
4️⃣ Mortgage rates
Average US mortgage rates climbed again for the fifth week in a row, making homebuying more expensive than it was just over a month ago, before the outbreak of war with Iran. The average 30-year fixed rate rose to 6.46% this week, up from 6.38% a week earlier and hitting the highest level in seven months, according to Freddie Mac. Some experts tell CNN that the mortgage-rate shock, fueled by bond market turmoil linked to the war in Iran, could stall the spring housing market — typically the busiest time of year for house hunters. But there’s still a window for a rebound: “If the situation resolves quickly, it’ll be early enough in the home shopping season for catch-up activity,” said Kara Ng, a senior economist at Zillow Home Loans.
5️⃣ Trump’s ballroom
President Trump’s sprawling White House ballroom project cleared a key hurdle on Thursday, winning approval from the board that oversees planning for federal buildings and land. Despite more than 32,000 public comments overwhelmingly opposed to the project, the National Capital Planning Commission — which is stacked with Trump loyalists — voted in favor of the measure. Even so, the ballroom’s future is unclear after a federal judge ruled earlier this week that construction must halt until it’s approved by Congress. This could set up a legal fight that may either delay the project or keep it in limbo as Trump’s lawyers seek to move it forward.
Breakfast browse
Video: Inside the Tiger Woods arrest
Newly released body camera footage of Tiger Woods’ arrest after a rollover crash offers a clearer view of his encounter with police.
High-profile case takes a turn
A federal judge tossed out Blake Lively’s sexual harassment claims against her “It Ends With Us” director Justin Baldoni one month before trial.
World’s oldest known tortoise still very much alive and (slowly) kicking despite rumor to the contrary
The world’s oldest living land animal — a 193-year-old tortoise called Jonathan — was falsely declared dead by some on social media this week.
Concerned about osteoporosis?
Bones can weaken quietly for years before a fracture reveals the problem. Here’s how you can build bone without medication.
Many Americans are mad at both parties
Those “double haters” favor the Democrats in the midterms, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS.
Quiz time
Apple celebrated an anniversary this week. How many years ago was the company founded?
A. 25
B. 40
C. 50
D. 65
And finally…
▶️ Passenger films Artemis II launch from plane window
An American Airlines passenger was flying from St. Croix to Charlotte, North Carolina, when she captured footage of NASA’s Artemis II mission heading to space. Talk about an in-flight upgrade.
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Today’s edition of 5 Things AM was edited and produced by CNN’s Andrew Torgan.
