Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Monday, 5:23 AM

October 20, 2025

Good morning news friend! Discover today’s defining stories and the future they set in motion. 📰🌟

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Brazen Louvre Heist

Four thieves used a truck-mounted elevator to enter the Louvre via a balcony near the Galerie d’Apollon around 9:30 a.m. They stole eight Napoleon-era royal jewels, including pieces from Queen Marie-Amélie, Queen Hortense, Empress Marie-Louise, and Empress Eugénie.

Two items were dropped and recovered during their escape on scooters along the Seine. The robbery lasted under seven minutes; the thieves left behind a mechanical cherry picker. No injuries were reported. Despite recent security upgrades, the heist exposed vulnerabilities.

Authorities are investigating organized theft and reviewing surveillance footage. Experts say the jewels’ fame makes resale nearly impossible. The Louvre remains closed during the ongoing probe.

Sources: AP News, Bloomberg, WallStreetJournal, Artnews, BBC.

Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Faces Its First Major Test

Hamas attacked Israeli troops on October 19-20, breaking the October 11 ceasefire with an anti-tank missile and gunfire, killing two Israeli soldiers. Israel responded with airstrikes on Hamas targets, killing at least eight Palestinians, including five in Gaza towns.

Both sides accused each other of ceasefire violations. The Rafah crossing remains closed, and Israel has slowed aid to pressure Hamas over hostage bodies; 12 deceased and 20 live hostages were released, with more delayed due to recovery issues.

Netanyahu ordered retaliation while Hamas denied the attack but acknowledged limited contact with fighters. The ceasefire faces unresolved political and security challenges.

Sources: AP News, Bloomberg, WallStreetJournal.

Trump Cuts U.S. Aid to Colombia

President Trump cut over $740 million in U.S. aid to Colombia, accusing President Gustavo Petro of enabling drug production. The move followed Petro’s condemnation of a U.S. military strike that killed fisherman Alejandro Carranza, who had no proven drug links.

The strike was part of a broader U.S. Caribbean campaign against drug trafficking vessels, which has killed around 29 individuals across several countries. U.S. officials cited Colombia’s failure to meet coca eradication goals despite aid. Trump also plans new tariffs on Colombian goods.

Petro rejected accusations, defended his anti-drug efforts, and called for international legal action. The dispute has strained U.S.-Colombia relations amid ongoing regional counterdrug and counterterrorism operations.

Sources: BBC, Latinamericareports, NYTimes, France24.

Did you know we also write in-depth deep dives? They are long, packed with insights, and have received rave reviews. If you’re up for a detailed, action-packed read, check them out:

• The Widowhood Penalty

• The Asset Protection Blueprint

• The Retirement Tax Bomb

• Inflammation Crisis

• The Gut Brain Axis

• AI Proof Professionals

China’s Economy Hits Slowest Growth

China’s GDP grew 4.8% in Q3 2025, the slowest since Q3 2024 but above forecasts. Year-to-date growth stands at 5.2%, near the full-year target of 5%. Fixed-asset investment contracted 0.5% through September, led by a 13.9% drop in property investment.

Residential property sales fell 7.6%. Industrial production rose 6.5% in September; retail sales increased 3% but at the slowest pace in 10 months. Urban unemployment declined to 5.2%. Inflation fell 0.3% in September, the tenth consecutive quarterly decline.

Exports and industrial output remain strong despite U.S. tariff threats. Policymakers emphasize high-tech manufacturing and public investment to offset weak private demand and property sector struggles.

Sources: Bloomberg, Reuters, CNBC, Investing.

Fentanyl Overdose Deaths Among Older Americans Surge

Fentanyl-related overdose deaths among Americans aged 65+ surged 1,470% from 264 in 2015 to 4,144 in 2023. Deaths involving fentanyl combined with stimulants spiked 9,000% over eight years, with stimulant involvement rising from 8.7% to 49.9% in senior fentanyl deaths.

Cocaine and methamphetamine now exceed alcohol, heroin, and benzodiazepines in these overdoses. From 1999-2023, 17,040 fentanyl deaths occurred in seniors versus 387,924 in adults 25-64. Factors increasing senior risk include multiple medications, chronic conditions, and slower metabolism.

Experts urge tailored overdose prevention, medication reviews, non-opioid pain management, and naloxone education for older adults. The rise signals an urgent need to address overdose risks beyond younger populations.

Sources: SciTechDaily, Sciencedaily, SAN, Usnews.

New Neuronal Nanotube Connections Discovered

Researchers identified dendritic nanotubes (DNTs), microscopic tubular bridges connecting neurons, which directly transfer electrical signals, calcium ions, and amyloid-beta protein linked to Alzheimer’s.

Blocking DNT formation halts amyloid-beta spread, implicating nanotubes in disease progression. Separately, molecular switches Rab4 and Rab10 regulate neuron supply delivery during memory formation: Rab4 activates early to boost delivery, while Rab10 inactivates for over 30 minutes to redirect supplies. Variants in Rab10 genes associate with increased resilience to Alzheimer’s.

These discoveries reveal a hidden brain communication system beyond synapses and detailed cellular logistics of memory encoding, suggesting new therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Sources: Sciencealert, Science, News-Medical.

“Things in this world are taken for what they look like, not what they are, for the simple reason that most folks are too busy or too lazy to look past the front porch. A handsome lie wearing a Sunday suit will be invited into the best parlors, while a shabby-looking truth will be left to shiver on the doorstep.”

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️