Current tropical outlook, insights into aging, personal ads on the subway: Find out about the stories of the day

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👋 Welcome to 5 Things PM! Scientists have found that aging is neither gradual nor linear, but that people age dramatically at two key points in their lives. This is when it is expected.

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

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

2️⃣ Significant savings: Most Americans know little about the Inflation Control Act, but it has saved them millions of dollars on home improvements such as solar panels, new appliances and insulation. People in California, Texas and Florida are benefitting the most.

3️⃣ Drug study: Good news for people struggling with obesity or early symptoms of diabetes: A new study from drugmaker Eli Lilly has found that tirzepatide, a drug commonly used for weight loss, significantly reduces the risk of developing diabetes.

4️⃣ Change of mindset: We live in turbulent times, seemingly marked by numerous social and political divisions. But new research shows that empathy is actually increasing among young people. Here’s how to increase your empathy.

5️⃣ Subway Singles: In China, people are placing personalized ads in subway stations that contain everything from dating profiles to job postings to birthday greetings. It’s a win-win situation because the ads bring in additional revenue for the train operators.

⚡‘Totally overwhelmed’: Mother Nature interrupted a late-night conversation on the back porch when lightning struck a nearby palm tree and set it ablaze. Lisette De La Cruz’s father extinguished the flames with a hose.

Lightning strike sets palm tree on fire in scary video

• Obamas headline the second day of the Democratic National Convention
• Trump retracts earlier claims that he should directly control interest rates
• “Multiple opportunities” to prevent the mass shooting in Maine were missed, a review says

❗This is the age of the oldest person in the world, Maria Branyas Morera, who just died in Spain. She attributed her long life to several factors, including “a lot of positivity and avoiding toxic people.”

💅 Crazy manicure: Demand for sculptural nails is skyrocketing, and artists are sparing no effort—using everything from chunky gemstones to delicate floral blossoms—to make their clients happy.

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

⭐ 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 the age of 88.

🌁 Towering over the picturesque landscape, the Millau Viaduct in southern France is the highest 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.

🎾 No penalty: World number one tennis player Jannik Sinner has avoided a ban despite testing positive for banned substances twice in March, officials said. The Italian player just won the Cincinnati Open.

🚌 We would like to end this on a positive note: A group of students in Kentucky known as The Real Young Prodigys have released a song and video called “Where My Bus At?” in response to the school bus shortage. Check out their creative call to action.

👋 See you tomorrow.
🧠 Quiz answer: C. The Millau Viaduct, which spans the Tarn Gorge in France, is 336 metres high.
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“5 Things PM” is produced by CNN’s Tricia Escobedo, Meghan Pryce and Kimberly Richardson.