Editor’s Note: CNN’s 5 Things newsletter is your one-stop shop for the latest headlines and fascinating stories to start and end your busy day.?Sign up here.

?? Welcome to 5 Things PM! Scientists discovered that aging isn’t gradual or linear, and that humans age dramatically at two key points in their life. This is when you can expect it to happen.

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

5 things

Flooding on the La Plata River in Puerto Rico after Ernesto on August 14.

1?? Tropical outlook: It’s been an active hurricane season already with five named storms, including a Category 5. Meteorologists provided an updated forecast for tropical activity in the Atlantic.

2?? Sizable savings: Most Americans know very little about the Inflation Reduction Act, but it has saved them millions of dollars on home upgrades such as solar panels, new appliances and insulation. People in California, Texas and Florida are reaping the biggest benefits.

3?? Drug trial: Good news for people struggling with obesity or early symptoms of diabetes: A new study by drugmaker Eli Lilly found that tirzepatide, a medication frequently used for weight loss, significantly reduces the risk of progression to diabetes.

4?? Shifting mindset: We’re living in a tumultuous time seemingly filled with any number of social and political divisions. Yet new research shows that empathy is actually on the rise among young people. Here’s how you can boost yours.

5?? Subway singles: People in China are taking out personalized ads at subway stations for everything from dating profiles to job notices to birthday wishes. It’s a win-win proposition, as the ads bring extra income for the train systems’ owners.

Watch this

?‘Mind blown’: Mother Nature interrupted a late-night conversation on the back porch when a bolt of lightning struck a nearby palm tree and set it on fire. Lisette De La Cruz’s father used a hose to douse the flames.

- Source: CNN " data-fave-thumbnails="{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/20240819-az-palm-tree-lightning-strike-full16x9.jpg?c=16x9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/20240819-az-palm-tree-lightning-strike-full16x9.jpg?c=16x9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" } }" data-vr-video="false" data-show-html="" data-byline-html="
" data-timestamp-html="
Published 5:40 PM EDT, Tue August 20, 2024
" data-check-event-based-preview="" data-is-vertical-video-embed="false" data-network-id="" data-publish-date="2024-08-19T17:17:45.897Z" data-video-section="us" data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/19/us/video/az-lightning-sets-palm-tree-fire-affil-dnt-cprog-digvid" data-branding-key="" data-video-slug="az-lightning-sets-palm-tree-fire-affil-dnt-cprog-digvid" data-first-publish-slug="az-lightning-sets-palm-tree-fire-affil-dnt-cprog-digvid" data-video-tags="cprog" data-details="">
20240819-az_palm tree lightning strike_full16x9.jpg
Lightning strike sets palm tree on fire in scary video
01:28 - Source: CNN

Top headlines

? Obamas to headline day 2 of Democratic National Convention
? Trump backs off earlier claims that he should directly control interest rates
? ‘Several opportunities’ to prevent Maine mass shooting were missed, review finds

117 years

?That’s the age of the world’s oldest person, Maria Branyas Morera, who just died in Spain. She attributed her longevity to several factors, including “lots of positivity and staying away from toxic people.”

Check this out

?? Madcap manicures: The demand for sculptural nails is skyrocketing, and artists are going to great lengths — using everything from chunky gems to delicate floral blooms — to make their clients happy.

Nail art by Melissa Samuel.

What’s buzzing

?? Big deal: Alex Cooper, host of the popular sex and relationship podcast “Call Her Daddy,” is moving from Spotify to SiriusXM for $125 million.

Celebrity corner

? Love of her life: Marlo Thomas paid tribute to her late husband, Phil Donahue, by sharing memories and photos from their 44-year marriage. The legendary talk show host just died at age 88.

Quiz time

sipausa_31625275.jpg

?? Soaring across the scenic landscape, the Millau Viaduct in southern France is the tallest bridge in the world. How high is it?
?A. 720 feet
B. 898 feet
C. 1,104 feet
D. 1,400 feet
?? Scroll down for the answer.

Sports spotlight

?? No punishment: World No. 1 tennis player Jannik Sinner avoided a suspension despite twice testing positive for a prohibited substance in March, officials said. The Italian player just won the Cincinnati Open.

Good vibes

?? We like to wrap things up on a positive note: A group of students in Kentucky known as The Real Young Prodigys came up with a song and video called “Where My Bus At?” in response to a school bus shortage. Watch their creative callout.

Thanks for reading

?? We’ll see you tomorrow.
????Quiz answer:?C. Millau Viaduct, which soars over the Tarn gorge in France, is 1,104 feet high.
?? Check out all of CNN’s newsletters.

5 Things PM is produced by CNN’s Tricia Escobedo, Meghan Pryce and Kimberly Richardson.