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Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Wednesday, 5:12 AM

October 8, 2025

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

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If you’re only reading the free edition, you’re missing half the story. Daybreak News Plus connects the dots the mainstream skips. Read it Now!

What does a CEO know that you don’t?

This week, the CEO of Lithium Americas put $200,000 of his own money on the line, boosting his personal holdings by over 40%. It’s a huge vote of confidence.

But at another company, a director did the exact opposite. He sold every single share he owned—a complete $2.5 million exit.

When executives make big moves like these, it pays to listen. Their actions often show their real belief in a company's future, long before the news hits the street.

We track these filings to see where the smart money is actually going.

Our new report breaks down the most telling insider trades from the past week. Click here to see the signals they're sending.

Gold Surges Past $4,000

Gold prices hit a record $4,000 per ounce, rising 53% this year after a 27% gain in 2024. The U.S. government shutdown delays economic data, increasing market focus on expected Federal Reserve rate cuts—25 basis points this month and possibly December.

Gold futures rose 0.7% to $4,033.40; silver, platinum, and palladium also advanced. Demand is driven by growing debt, reserve diversification, a weaker dollar, central bank purchases, and political unrest in France and Japan. Ray Dalio called gold a "more certain" safe haven than the dollar, likening this rally to the 1970s.

Goldman Sachs and UBS raised gold price forecasts, citing sustained demand amid lower rates and global uncertainty.

An independent metals trader predicts gold could hit $5,000 as the Fed continues to lower rates—discover the unexpected geopolitical factors fueling this surge. Read more.

Sources: WallStreetJournal, AP News, Reuters, Bloomberg, Bloomberg.

Shutdown Hits U.S. Air Traffic

The U.S. government shutdown entered its seventh day, causing over 3,000 flight delays on October 7 due to FAA staff shortages, with some regions operating with 50% fewer air traffic controllers.

Around 13,000 controllers and 50,000 TSA officers work without pay, and the FAA plans to slow traffic for safety. President Trump stated some furloughed federal workers might not receive back pay despite a 2019 law guaranteeing it, a stance opposed by Democrats.

Military workers will begin losing pay next week. Republicans propose a seven-week funding bill; Democrats want four weeks with healthcare funding.

Flight delays are worsening partly because sick leave among unpaid air traffic controllers is rising, forcing the FAA to intentionally slow airport traffic—read the full story to see how deep this crisis runs.

Sources: Bloomberg, WallStreetJournal, Bloomberg, WallStreetJournal, Reuters, AP News.

Consumer Credit Cools Off

U.S. consumer credit growth slowed sharply in August 2025, rising just $363 million versus $18.1 billion in July, below the $14 billion expected. Revolving credit fell 5.5%, while nonrevolving credit grew about 2% annually.

Inflation-adjusted disposable income increased 0.1%, and spending grew 0.4%, driven mainly by the top 20% of households, especially the wealthiest 3.3%. Student loan delinquencies surged to 10.2% in Q2, up from 0.5% at the end of 2024, pressuring credit demand.

FICO scores dropped, notably for Gen Z. Federal Reserve’s balance sheet runoff pressures banks, with possible rate cuts uncertain amid inflation and data delays.

A looming risk: if affluent consumers pull back spending amid stock market volatility, it could trigger a broader economic slowdown—see why economists warn this could be a red flag.

Sources: Bloomberg, Bloomberg, Kpmg, Philadelphiafed, Seekingalpha.

J&J Slapped with $966 Million Verdict

A California jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $966 million to Mae Moore’s family after she died of mesothelioma linked to J&J’s talc products, including baby powder used for nearly 80 years.

The award includes $16 million compensatory and $950 million punitive damages, the largest single-plaintiff verdict in 15 years of talc litigation. The jury found J&J hid asbestos risks, which the company denies, planning to appeal and calling the verdict based on “junk science.” J&J ceased U.S. talc powder sales in 2020.

With over 67,000 talc-related lawsuits pending, the verdict raises legal and insurance risks, especially as punitive damages are generally uninsurable.

J&J’s self-insurance approach since 2005 now faces serious doubts as this $950 million punitive damage could push them to seek external coverage—discover how insurers are bracing for impact. Read more.

Sources: Bloomberg, Reuters, BS, Insurancebusinessmag.

Hope for Type 1 Diabetes

The BANDIT trial tested baricitinib, a daily oral JAK inhibitor, in 91 recent-onset type 1 diabetes patients aged 10-30. Over 48 weeks, baricitinib preserved insulin production (C-peptide 0.65 vs. 0.43 nmol/L/min placebo), reduced insulin needs (0.41 vs. 0.52 U/kg), and improved blood sugar control, with no side effects.

However, benefits faded after stopping treatment; by week 96, insulin production and requirements aligned with placebo levels. Two-thirds of treated patients responded, but no baseline predictors were identified. Baricitinib suppresses immune attacks on beta cells and is approved for other autoimmune diseases.

Larger Phase III trials are planned to assess long-term use and earlier intervention to delay or prevent insulin dependence.

Despite strong early results, researchers found no baseline factors—like genetics or immune markers—to predict who benefits from baricitinib, raising questions about personalized treatment; read more to explore this challenge.

Sources: SciTechDaily, Upi, Newsweek, Medpagetoday, Medicalxpress.

Turning Cold Tumors Hot

Johns Hopkins researchers used dual activation of STING and LTβR pathways to induce tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in “immune-cold” tumors, common in breast, pancreatic, and muscle cancers.

This approach boosted immune activity, increasing CD4⁺, CD8⁺ T cells, and B cells, which matured into plasma cells producing tumor-specific antibodies. In mice, pancreatic tumor growth was reduced by 50%; breast and muscle tumors also slowed. Treated mice resisted relapse after tumor removal and re-exposure. Lasting immunity required both T and B cells.

The method may enhance existing therapies and is set for clinical trials. TLS presence correlates with better outcomes, offering a new strategy against treatment-resistant cancers.

The study revealed that transferring tumor-specific antibodies from treated mice to untreated ones suppressed tumor growth, proving systemic and lasting humoral immunity—read how this works in detail.

Sources: SciTechDaily, Hopkinsmedicine, Thebrighterside, Baltimoresun.

“If you're about to set out on a journey and you already suspect your horse is lame, the wisest and cheapest thing to do is to stay home. Your own doubt is the surest prophet of your own failure.”

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 Retirement Tax Bomb

• The Gut Brain Axis

• The Healthcare Hammer

• The Resilient Retirement

• Inflammation Crisis

• AI Proof Professionals

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️