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Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Monday, 5:12 AM

January 13, 2025

Good morning news friend! Unravel the stories that matter, guiding the course of change in our world. 📰🌟

Arson Ignites Russia's Unrest

In recent days, Russia faced a surge in arson attacks. Hundreds of incidents targeted banks, post offices, and police cars. One elderly man, Alexander Nikiforov, claimed phone scammers coerced him into burning an ATM, promising to recover lost money.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there have been 280 arson cases. Early attacks were anti-war protests. Now, manipulation and coercion seem to drive them. Scammers often target the vulnerable, exploiting fears and financial desperation.

Russia blames Ukraine for the scheme. Ukrainian call centers are known for phone scams, leveraging leaked Russian data. Some Ukrainian sources suggest these call centers might be part of an intelligence operation.

The Kremlin has responded with tighter controls, banning internet telephony and further restricting information.

Source: Read More

The Big Bond Selloff

On Friday, 10-year Treasury yields closed at 4.772%, the highest since November 2023, while 30-year yields reached 4.962%.

Analysts suggest that this yield increase does not indicate stronger economic growth. Instead, it results from higher "term premiums" demanded by investors, influenced by potential inflationary threats from new tariffs and increased budget deficits linked to proposed tax cuts.

In the UK, 30-year yields soared to 5.4%, a 27-year high. France faces similar challenges, with borrowing costs exceeding those of Greece.

The euro has fallen close to parity with the U.S. dollar, contributing to a decline in both the S&P 500 and the Stoxx Europe 600 by 1.5% and 0.8%, respectively.

Source: Read More

Job Surge Fears

The US job market added 256,000 jobs in December, up from 212,000 in November. Unemployment fell to 4.1%, down from the expected 4.2%. Health care hired 46,000 workers, retailers added 43,000, and government roles contributed 33,000.

Throughout 2024, the economy added 2.2 million jobs, with an average of 186,000 new positions per month, slightly surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Average hourly wages rose by 0.3%, showing a year-over-year increase of 3.9%.

The Federal Reserve, which increased rates 11 times in 2022 and 2023, is now cautious, projecting only two rate cuts in 2025, down from earlier expectations of four.

This raises concerns for homebuyers and businesses as interest rates may remain high. Mortgage rates have been climbing for four weeks, reaching their highest level since July.

Source: Read More

California Wildfires Update

At least 24 people have died in the wildfires in Southern California. The Eaton Fire accounts for 16 of the deaths, while the Palisades Fire has claimed eight lives.

The Palisades Fire burned 23,713 acres and is only 11% contained. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire has spread to 14,117 acres with 27% containment. More than 10,000 structures were damaged or destroyed, and 130,000 people evacuated.

Officials warned that strong winds will pose additional risks in the coming days. Wind gusts of up to 99 mph have been recorded, creating a "particularly dangerous situation" in the area.

Losses from the fire are estimated at $50 billion, one of the most destructive events in California's history.

Source: Read More

Fluoride and Low I.Q.

An analysis published by in JAMA Pediatrics reviewed multiple studies from outside the United States, where fluoride levels in drinking water are generally higher than those recommended in the US.

The study found an inverse relationship between fluoride exposure and cognitive function. As fluoride exposure increased, I.Q. scores decreased. This correlation was noted in countries with higher fluoridation levels, suggesting a dose-response relationship.

Various sources of fluoride exposure include toothpaste, dental treatments, certain foods, and beverages like tea and coffee. Industrial emissions and some medications also contain fluoride.

While the evidence is compelling, observational studies do not confirm direct cause-and-effect relationships.

Source: Read More

New Dinosaur Discovery 

A fossil found in Wyoming revealed a new dinosaur species, Ahvaytum bahndooiveche, dating back 230 million years. This is the oldest known dinosaur from Laurasia, previously thought to be uninhabited by dinosaurs for millions of years.

Previously, many believed dinosaurs emerged in Gondwana before spreading to Laurasia. This find suggests that dinosaurs populated the Northern Hemisphere much earlier than previously thought, with only 6-10 million years separating the oldest Northern and Southern Hemisphere dinosaurs.

Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison determined that this tiny dinosaur was about the size of a chicken, measuring over one foot tall and three feet long.

Its long tail and possible omnivorous diet distinguish it from later, larger sauropods like Brachiosaurus.

Source: Read More

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Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️