Reining in drug prices, ballroom saga, teens and chatbots: Catch up on the day’s stories

By Daniel Wine, CNN

👋 Welcome to 5 Things PM! After a flurry of lawsuits, Character.AI will no longer let teens talk with its chatbots. Instead of open-ended conversations, kids under 18 will be able to create stories and animations.

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

5 things

1️⃣ Drug prices

The US Food and Drug Administration will take steps to streamline the process to develop generic versions of complex biological drugs. The changes are intended to increase competition and lower drug costs for Americans.

2️⃣ Ballroom saga

President Donald Trump’s decision to demolish part of the White House has sparked widespread backlash — even among supporters. CNN’s Aaron Blake says it’s shaping up to be one of his most controversial second-term moves.

3️⃣ A stunning shift

Bill Gates, a leading proponent for carbon emissions reductions, published a remarkable essay that argued resources must be shifted away from the battle against climate change. He urged investment in other efforts to prevent disease and hunger.

4️⃣ Injury bug

The ligament in your elbow that connects the bone in your upper arm to the one in your forearm is only about as strong as “a piece of celery.” This has plagued baseball players for decades, but a new phenomenon is emerging.

5️⃣ NYC mayor’s race

The city that launched President Trump is now poised to elect its first Muslim mayor — or give a comeback to New York’s disgraced former governor. CNN’s John King talked to voters across all five boroughs to see what they’re thinking ahead of Tuesday’s election.

Watch this

🍺 Cheers, mate! British pubs can be intimidating for visitors. From learning how to order a pint to sharing your snacks, the culture is full of charming traditions and surprising rules.

Top headlines

• Hurricane Melissa kills at least 30 in the Caribbean as it heads toward the Bahamas
• Louvre heist suspects have admitted involvement in jewels theft
• Illinois deputy found guilty of murder in the shooting of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who called 911 asking for help

Check this out

🦇 Spooky surprise: These bats aren’t just Halloween props — scientists have found that several North American species naturally shine under UV light. The eerie glow earns these nocturnal mammals a spot on the growing list of unexpectedly radiant creatures.

Quiz time

💵 What did the Federal Reserve do with interest rates today?
A. Raised a quarter point
B. Kept them the same
C. Lowered a quarter point
D. Lowered a half point
⬇️ Scroll down for the answer.

Thanks for reading

✅ Most popular in yesterday’s newsletter: La Dolce Vita Orient Express: 24 hours on board Italy’s new luxury train

🧠 Quiz answer: C. The Fed cut rates to the lowest level in three years.

👋 We’ll see you tomorrow.

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Today’s edition of 5 Things PM was edited and produced by CNN’s Kimberly Richardson and Chris Good.