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Thursday, 5:34 AM

February 6, 2025

Good morning news friend! Keep pace with the ever-changing world of global news, staying informed on the latest developments and trends. 📰🌟

Full CIA Buyouts Offered

The CIA offered buyouts to its entire workforce to align with President Trump's priorities. Director John Ratcliffe aims to infuse the agency with new energy.

Employees can receive eight months of pay and benefits for voluntarily resigning. High-priority roles are not eligible for this offer.

Ratcliffe plans to refocus the CIA on national security threats, such as drug cartels and China. He was confirmed by the Senate just days before these announcements.

Critics have warned that the offers lack legal backing. Senator Mark Warner urged caution, noting that Congress has not approved funds for such buyouts and called the promises “empty.”

Sources: Reuters, WallStreetJournal, NBC, ABC, USAToday.

US Trade Deficit Soars

The US trade deficit surged 24.7% in December, reaching $98.4 billion. This was the highest deficit since March 2022 and the second-largest on record. For 2024, the trade gap widened to $918.4 billion, the largest since 2021.

Imports hit a record high of $364.9 billion, rising 3.5% in December alone. In contrast, exports fell 2.6% to $266.5 billion. The goods deficit with Canada grew to $7.9 billion, while the deficit with China narrowed.

US services exports reached an all-time high of $96.3 billion. The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 52.8, down from 54.0 in December. A PMI above 50 indicates expansion.

New orders declined to 51.3 from 54.4, and the prices paid for services also fell to 60.4, down from 64.4 in December. In January, the business activity index decreased to 54.5, and the services employment measure rose slightly to 52.3.

Sources: Reuters, NYTimes, Finimize, BusinessStandard, Investing, EconomicTimes.

Musk's DOGE Targets Medicare

Elon Musk's DOGE gained access to Medicare's payment systems. The team has been at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) this week.

Medicare accounts for 22% of the federal budget, with spending reaching $1.5 trillion in fiscal year 2024. The agency oversees insurance for 140 million Americans.

Musk stated that DOGE is focused on identifying fraud and waste, specifically by reviewing CMS's organizational structure and spending.

DOGE's access is classified as "read-only." This means they cannot alter systems or access sensitive personal health data.

Sources: Bloomberg, WallStreetJournal, PYMNTS, Reuters, Investing.

The End of De Minimis: A Shake-Up for Online Shopping

President Trump ended the de minimis trade exemption for Chinese goods. This rule allowed shipments valued under $800 to enter the US duty-free. The US handles 4 million de minimis shipments daily, with total shipments rising from 140 million in 2014 to 1 billion in 2023.

The change affects Temu and Shein, which accounted for 17% of the US discount market in 2023. Both platforms benefited from lower import costs. All Chinese imports will now face potential tariffs of up to 60%.

The US Postal Service briefly suspended accepting packages from China before reversing the decision. Critics argue the de minimis rule facilitated unsafe goods entering the market.

Lawmakers from both parties have sought reforms of the de minimis exemption, citing concerns over unfair competition and illegal imports.

Sources: NPR, WallStreetJournal, LiveMint, ChainStorage, NYTimes.

Implant Enhances Mobility in Muscle-Wasting Patients

A spine-stimulating implant improved the mobility of three individuals with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). This device, previously tested for paralysis, zapped the spinal cord to restore muscle function temporarily.

During a month-long trial, participants experienced notable gains in muscle strength and walking ability. One participant, who could not stand from a kneeling position, achieved this feat by the study's end.

All three patients increased their walking distance during six-minute tests, with one reporting a triple length in each step. The researchers found that benefits lingered even after the stimulator was turned off.

SMA is a genetic condition that deteriorates motor neurons over time, leading to muscle wasting.

Sources: APNews, McAlesternNews, CaledonianRecord, WyomingNewsNow.

Unlocking the Cat Connection

Research shows that a simple slow blink can deepen the bond between humans and cats. A study revealed that when humans narrow their eyes and blink slowly, cats become more receptive and likely to approach.

The study involved two experiments. In the first, 21 cats from 14 households responded positively when their owners slow-blinked from one meter away. Cats blinked back more frequently compared to situations with no blinking.

The second experiment tested 24 cats from eight households. Researchers, unfamiliar to the cats, also used slow blinking. Results showed increased blinking and a greater willingness to approach hands from the cats after slow blinks.

This method mimics how cats communicate comfort, similar to a human smile. Cats interpret unblinking stares as threats. Thus, slow blinking allows humans to appear less intimidating.

Sources: ScienceAlert, IrishStar, JPost, i21c.

“People used to wear ordinary clothes weekdays and formal attire on Sunday. Today is the exact reverse.”

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️