A new oil frontier, $2,000 rebate checks, predictable passwords: Catch up on the day’s stories
By Daniel Wine, CNN
👋 Welcome to 5 Things PM! President Donald Trump floated the idea of sending Americans $2,000 rebate checks from tariffs collected by the government. It’s a bold proposal with several significant complications.
Here’s what else you might have missed during your busy day.
5 things
1️⃣ New frontier
South America is seeing a boom in fossil fuels just as the impacts of the global climate crisis really bite, but it’s raising thorny questions. Here’s how the region became the up-and-coming oil capital of the world.
2️⃣ Missing girl
Ashlee Buzzard packed her 9-year-old daughter into a rental car and left California. Three days later, she returned alone. Investigators said they’ve uncovered wig disguises and a swapped license plate — but no answers about Melodee’s whereabouts.
3️⃣ ‘Black box’ warning
The Food and Drug Administration plans to remove the lengthy warning on hormone treatments for women with menopause. It’s expected to open up more options for treatment and generate a flood of new prescriptions.
4️⃣ Credit card fees
Visa and Mastercard reached a potential deal with retailers to lower fees for merchants, which could also lower prices. However, there’s one big drawback for consumers.
5️⃣ Predictable passwords
Nuclear codes, voicemail hacks and businesses going bust: These are some of the biggest password blunders. Learn from their mistakes.
Watch this
😂 A comedy ambassador: Ryan Chen is known as the “Chinese Trump.” He showed CNN’s Mike Valerio around Chongqing and explained how he hopes to use humor to bridge cultural divides. Watch some of his impersonations.
Top headlines
- Here’s what still needs to happen on Capitol Hill to end the historic shutdown
- Supreme Court declines to revisit landmark same-sex marriage precedent
- Warren Buffett says ‘I’m going quiet’ as he hands off Berkshire Hathaway leadership
Check this out
💡 Luxe lighting: Designer Lindsey Adelman handcrafts chandeliers that blend centuries-old techniques with sculptural innovation — proving that light itself can be a work of art.
For CNN subscribers
- The average US wedding costs $33,000. Tariffs are expected to push it higher
- The US air traffic control system is in desperate need of improvement. Would privatization help?
Quiz time
🚀 A plan written by Jared Isaacman, President Trump’s pick to lead NASA, was leaked. What is the document called?
A. “Galaxy Guide”
B. “Mars Project”
C. “A Stellar Plan”
D. “Project Athena”
⬇️ Scroll down for the answer.
Thanks for reading
✅ Most popular in Friday’s newsletter: Flight delays and cancellations from the government shutdown — here’s the latest
🧠 Quiz answer: D. “Project Athena” outlines the billionaire’s sweeping, ambitious and at times controversial plan for the space agency.
👋 We’ll see you tomorrow.
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Today’s edition of 5 Things PM was edited and produced by CNN’s Meghan Pryce and Sarah Hutter.
