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

👋 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

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

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.

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Trump administration proposes $103,000 fee for H-1B visas

(CNN) — The Trump administration announced plans to add a $103,265 fee for H-1B visas, months after a federal judge voided the US government’s previous attempt to require a $100,000 application fee.In a proposed regulation posted Monday, the administration said the fee would go toward “recovering” the costs of running the immigration system and would encourage companies to hire American workers and pay them more.The rule is not final, and the process could take months before it is made official, especially if it faces legal challenges. The public has 30 days to submit comments in response.H-1B visas allow foreign professionals to seek work in professions that are considered more specialized. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or a similar equivalent, and the visa is valid for three years and can be renewed for another three years.Economists have argued the program allows US companies to maintain competitiveness and grow their business, creating more jobs. US law allows for 65,000 H-1B visas annually, with another 20,000 reserved for people who hold advanced degrees from American higher education institutions.The Trump administration has insisted the program is overused and prevents companies from hiring American workers. Vice President JD Vance touted the new proposed fee in a post to X on Monday, writing, “If an American corporation needs workers, it should hire and train Americans.”The administration’s attempt to impose a hefty fee on the H-1B visas dates to September 2025, when President Donald Trump, seeking to rein in the program, signed an executive action imposing a $100,000 fee. The fee was previously about $3,000.Trump suffered a legal setback in June when US District Judge Leo Sorokin threw out the fee. The Boston-based judge found that the president lacked authority to impose the new policy and that only Congress had the power to change federal immigration policy to include such a requirement, which Sorokin viewed as a tax.“The President had no power or delegated authority to impose a tax on H-1B petitions,” wrote Sorokin, an appointee of former President Barack Obama.The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
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