1. Strikes in Iran
5 Things to Know today include significant news from the Middle East region as the wave of strikes was initiated overnight on the capital city of Iran, Tehran, by Israel. The strikes lit up the night sky with huge explosions, which were widely shared on various social media platforms.
The bombing campaign between the US and Israel will continue to escalate, announced President Trump, as the enemy is being “demolished ahead of schedule.” Furthermore, Pete Hegseth warned that Iran is making a “bad miscalculation” if they think the US will reduce the rate of the bombing campaign.
The retaliatory actions of Iran seem to be diminishing, as reported by the United States Central Command, where the rate of ballistic missile strikes has been reduced by “90 percent” and drone strikes have been reduced by “83 percent,” which will reduce the pressure on the Gulf states that were targeted earlier this week.
2. Kristi Noem Fired
Donald Trump has terminated Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, amidst mounting concerns over her role at the United States Department of Homeland Security.
There have been various controversies surrounding Noem, such as whether she has been involved in a romantic relationship with a senior aide, concerns over a $220 million advertising campaign that prominently features her, and mixed reports over fatal shootings by federal immigration agents.
Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma senator, is set to be nominated by Trump to replace Noem, though it is still subject to confirmation by the Senate.
3. Severe Weather Threat
Severe storms are expected to affect 60 million people from Texas to the Great Lakes today.
Severe storms are expected to affect 60 million people from Texas to the Great Lakes today. Meteorologists predict that powerful supercell storms will develop throughout the day, with the greatest risk of severe weather tonight. The greatest tornado risk is from Madison to Dallas. On Thursday, storms affected the southern Plains, which included multiple tornado threats. In addition, Louisiana was hit by an earthquake of 4.9 magnitude, which is one of the strongest in the state. However, no damage or injuries were reported.
4. Tony Gonzales Affair
Tony Gonzales, a member of Congress from Texas and a member of the Republican Party, has stated that his campaign for re-election will not continue after he admitted to an affair with a former member of his staff who later took their own life.
In a statement, Gonzales stated, “After much reflection and discussion with my family, I have made the decision to end my re-election campaign and continue to serve out my current term in Congress.”
This comes after leaders of the Republican Party have recently called upon him to withdraw from the race, though they have not called upon him to resign from Congress, which is currently divided.
5. Mortgage Rates Rise
The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was quoted at 6 percent this week, Freddie Mac reported.
The rate slipped to 5.98 percent just the previous week, the first time it has fallen below 6 percent since 2022. Economists see the 6 percent level as a psychological barrier that could help boost the stagnant housing market.
But analysts are also warning that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could unsettle the markets. Oil prices could rise, leading to inflation, which could cause a sell-off in the bond market that could drive mortgage rates higher.
