Rare elements powering the future, robo financial advice, path to EU citizenship: Catch up on the day’s stories
By Daniel Wine, CNN
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Welcome to 5 Things PM! The slumping job market in the US is taking a toll on people’s moods. A consumer survey showed that Americans became more pessimistic about the health of the economy, a key issue in the presidential election.
Here’s what else you might have missed during your busy day:
5 things
Volcano discovery: A mysterious type of magma found in extinct volcanoes could contain abundant rare earth elements, which are crucial ingredients for electric vehicles, wind turbines and other clean technologies, according to a report. That could lead to other rare earth discoveries, even in the US.
Robo advice: No matter how much money is in the bank, adults are faced with countless financial decisions: paying bills, investing, saving for retirement. If you need help along the way, there are plenty of options. Some people are turning to robo services.
‘Blood right’: Does your family have roots in Europe? You might have a path to citizenship to your ancestors’ home countries — even if you’ve never been there. Here’s what you should know.
Time’s ticking: Imagine a clock so accurate that it doesn’t lose a second, even after running for 1 billion years. Scientists say they’re closer than ever to achieving that level of timekeeping precision with a nuclear clock.
Precious jewels: A diamond necklace that has been worn at two British coronations is expected to fetch up to $2.8 million at auction. The 18th-century piece weighs about 300 carats and is on public display for the first time in 50 years. Take a look.
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Oh deer! Firefighters used ropes to rescue the animal after it got stuck upside down between a house and a garage in Oakland, California. Once free, the deer eagerly returned to the wild.
Top headlines
• CNN Poll: Harris and Trump locked in exceedingly close presidential race
• Evacuations begin in Florida as the state faces a major hurricane strike from Helene
• Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre says he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
What’s buzzing
Soda falls flat: Coca-Cola is discontinuing a new flavor just six months after it hit shelves, marking the end of a disappointing attempt to attract younger drinkers.
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Ghost shark: Scientists discovered a new species that lives in the deep ocean waters near Australia and New Zealand. It’s also known as a narrow-nosed spookfish.
$362,000
That’s how much money two women lost after getting scammed by someone pretending to be actor Brad Pitt. Police arrested five people.
Celebrity corner
Still joking: Dick Van Dyke kept things light-hearted when asked about plans for his 99th birthday in December after skipping a few recent events. “Just praying that I make it,” the comedy legend quipped.
Quiz time
The US Department of Justice filed a lawsuit accusing which company of monopolizing the debit card market?
A. Visa
B. Mastercard
C. Bank of America
D. American Express Scroll down for the answer.
Good vibes
We like to wrap things up on a positive note: Just 20 seconds of self-compassionate touch reduced stress, increased kindness and improved mental well-being, a recent study found. Here’s how.
Thanks for reading
We’ll see you tomorrow.
Quiz answer: A. The Justice Department accused Visa of an illegal monopoly that adds to the price of “nearly everything.”
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5 Things PM is produced by CNN’s Tricia Escobedo, Meghan Pryce and Kimberly Richardson.
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