Trump’s economic approval, deadly driving, procrastination effects: Catch up on the day’s stories

By Gina Park, CNN

👋 Welcome to 5 Things PM! What’s the fastest way to reject someone? Pop a balloon. A viral dating show built around the concept has fueled online debate, but its creators say the focus has always been on something else: celebrating Black love.

Here’s what else you might have missed during your busy day.

5 things

1️⃣ Economic approval

President Donald Trump dismisses polls showing most Americans disapprove of his handling of the economy. CNN’s Daniel Dale breaks down why one of the statistics he cites most often doesn’t say much at all.

2️⃣ ‘We are heartbroken’

A Louisiana family is grieving the loss of their 8-year-old daughter, who died after contracting a brain-eating amoeba. The tragedy has renewed attention on the exceptionally rare infection.

3️⃣ Deadly driving

From “teen takeovers” to the “blackout challenge,” dangerous social media fads are nothing new. The latest trend? Driving cars the wrong way down major roads.

4️⃣ Procrastination problem

Putting off tasks that feel daunting might seem harmless. But the constant mental hum of unfinished business may be more draining than you realize.

5️⃣ Forged ruins

Tourists and locals were paying $46 to visit a supposedly ancient Greek stadium. It took investigators only a day to conclude it was a scam.

Watch this

✈️ Blown away: Powerful winds wreaked havoc at an airport in northern Italy, tossing planes across the tarmac and even flipping one upside down.

Top headlines

• US Treasury threatens new sanctions on nations tied to Iran
• Firefighters make progress holding wildfire in Reno, Nevada, area, where thousands have been urged to flee
• How new Canadian auto tariffs could hurt US automakers and workers

Check this out

👑 God save the drag kings: With painted jaws, towering wigs and aviator sunglasses, performers gather in an English port town for a larger-than-life showcase of masculinity.

For CNN subscribers

• This democratic socialist has upset the party establishment. Here’s her strategy for Congress
• This immigrant left the US for Canada. Something stood out to her at the border
• ‘Loneliness influencers’ have no friends, but they say they’re happy. What they can teach us

Quiz time

📹 Nearly a decade after Vine’s demise, what is the name of the app aiming to revive the iconic video-sharing platform?

A. Byte

B. Divine

C. Viddy

D. Zoomerang

⬇️ Scroll down for the answer.

Thanks for reading

✅ Most popular in Friday’s newsletter: ‘My Guardian and Protector’: Natalie Harp letters express her devotion to Trump

🧠 Quiz answer: B. Divine, which similarly features a scrolling feed of six-second videos, officially launched last week after nine months of development and beta testing.

👋 We’ll see you tomorrow.

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

Today’s edition of 5 Things PM was edited and produced by CNN’s Kimberly Richardson and Tricia Escobedo.