Top stories: CNN polls show the Senate races in Maine and Michigan are deadlocked as analysts probe what’s dividing voters. New research hints that routine blood tests could reveal risk markers for early-onset colon cancer. Other highlights include a rare diamond found inside an apple, a major sauropod nesting site in Argentina, rising drone use by criminal groups, and Apple’s foldable iPhone Duo reveal.
Senate Toss-Ups, New Clues on Early-Onset Colon Cancer, Drones Fueling Crime — Your Daily Brief
Left to right: Troy Jackson, Susan Collins, Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers. - Reuters/Bloomberg/Getty Images/AP
Welcome to 5 Things PM. From razor-close Senate contests to surprising medical clues hidden in routine tests, here are the day’s most important and fascinating stories.
Politics
CNN polling shows the decisive Senate races in Maine and Michigan remain too close to call, with no clear frontrunner. Analysts are examining voter splits, turnout dynamics and local issues that could determine control of the Senate.
Crime & Security
From improvised "carrier pigeons" to weaponized systems, drones are increasingly used by organized crime groups across Latin America for smuggling and attacks. Governments are rushing to develop countermeasures as criminal adopters outpace regulators and law enforcement.
Vyacheslav Oseledko/AFP/Getty Images
Health & Science
New research suggests routine blood tests may reveal unexpected markers tied to early-onset colon cancer risk, offering potential for earlier detection and better understanding of why some cases occur in younger people. In paleontology, scientists uncovered more than 200 fossilized eggshell fragments in southern Argentina — evidence of a high-latitude nesting site used by massive sauropod dinosaurs.
Curiosity & Oddities
A chambermaid biting into an apple nearly shattered her teeth after discovering the extremely rare Grand Condé diamond hidden inside — a gem previously reported missing. The unusual recovery raises questions about how such a valuable stone came to be concealed inside fruit.
Culture & Tech
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opens this month in Los Angeles, showcasing works that range from "Star Wars" concept art to American illustration in a sleek, futuristic setting. In tech news, Apple hardware chief John Ternus unveiled the foldable iPhone Duo, while an AI company employee resigned publicly, citing safety concerns and accusing management of "gambling with our lives."
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Notes & Features
Former President Donald Trump predicted that a potential conflict with Iran would end after the midterms and said gas prices would fall — comments that have added fuel to ongoing foreign-policy and economic debates. A centuries-old Central Asian sport, Kok-Boru — played with a stuffed goat carcass — has surprisingly attracted American cowboys intrigued by the tradition. Separately, coverage of antibiotic-resistant infections asks, "What happens when antibiotics stop working?" as doctors warn of a growing public-health threat.
Accountability & Politics
Video clips showing a GOP candidate making crude sexual remarks, including derogatory insults, have provoked public outrage and calls for accountability. Analysts also note that in several key districts, independent candidates are complicating the map and may affect which party controls the Senate.
That's it for today — see you tomorrow.
Edited and produced by CNN's Kimberly Richardson and Sarah Hutter. For more news and newsletters, create an account at CNN.com.
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