Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Wednesday, 5:19 AM

May 7, 2025

Good morning news friend! Discover the narratives driving today’s world and shaping the path ahead. 📰🌟

Click here to read the poll results and comments from our previous edition. Over 4,983 people gave their opinions about zero-for-zero tariffs with India, the White House defending Mifepristone and more!

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India-Pakistan Conflict Reignites

India conducted missile strikes on nine locations in Pakistan, resulting in 8 deaths and 38 injuries. In retaliation, Pakistan's artillery shelling in Kashmir killed 3 civilians.

The strikes followed a terrorist attack in Kashmir that killed 26 people, which India attributed to Pakistani support.

Pakistan condemned the strikes as an act of war, reporting civilian casualties and military mobilization in response. Tensions have escalated with heavy cross-border shelling, school and airport closures, and a declared emergency in Pakistan.

The U.N. and U.S. leaders have called for restraint amidst the risk of further escalation.

Sources: AP News, Reuters, Bloomberg, WallStreetJournal.

Trade Talks Loom

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Switzerland to address rising trade tensions.

Bessent criticized previous tariffs as unsustainable, with the U.S. trade deficit reaching a record high.

In response, China plans to cut interest rates and lower the reserve requirement ratio to inject around 1 trillion yuan into its economy.

Despite a 12.4% increase in exports, tariff effects are evident, with fewer ships traveling to the U.S. and new export orders declining. China aims for 5% growth amid predictions of a slowdown.

Sources: Reuters, Reuters, Bloomberg, Bloomberg, WallStreetJournal, WallStreetJournal.

Meta vs. NSO Group

Meta won a $168 million verdict against NSO Group for unlawfully exploiting a vulnerability in WhatsApp.

A jury found NSO liable for hacking around 1,400 accounts, including those of journalists and activists. The damages include $444,719 in compensatory and $167.3 million in punitive awards.

NSO's spyware, Pegasus, utilized a zero-click vulnerability to access private data. Despite claims of aiding law enforcement, NSO has worked with controversial regimes.

Meta plans to donate the awarded damages to digital rights organizations. NSO intends to appeal the decision.

Sources: Reuters, Reuters, NYTimes, TheRegister, SiliconAngle.

Cardinals Set to Elect the Next Pope

Starting today, 133 cardinals from 70 countries will gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next pope, the first conclave to exceed the traditional 120 electors.

Pope Francis appointed 108 cardinals, including those from previously unrepresented nations. A two-thirds majority of 89 votes is needed.

Candidates include Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Luis Tagle, among others. The voting process consists of four ballots daily until a pope is chosen.

The church faces challenges such as addressing internal divisions, the clergy sex abuse scandal, and a projected 80 million euro deficit in 2024.

Sources: AP News, Reuters, VaticanNews, BBC, WallStreetJournal.

Cancer Risk of Gas Stoves for Children

A Stanford study reveals gas stoves pose significant cancer risks, especially for children, who face a 1.85 times higher risk of benzene exposure than adults. Six million Americans are exposed to high-emission stoves, with risks exceeding WHO limits. Lifetime cancer risks for children range from 1.92 to 12.03 per million. Poor ventilation exacerbates risks, increasing children's exposure by 4 to 16 times. The study advocates for improved ventilation and suggests alternatives like induction stoves to eliminate benzene exposure, urging homeowners to reconsider gas stove usage for child safety.

Sources: ScienceAlert, TheCooldown, IndiaTimes, ScienceDirect.

Chronic Pain Without Opioids

Dr. Mahmoud Salama Ahmed received a $1.94 million NIH grant to research inhibitors targeting peripheral neuropathic pain, addressing the need for alternatives to opioids.

Over 107,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses between December 2020 and December 2021. Ahmed's team at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is developing compounds inspired by three tetracycline antibiotics, which have high dosage side effects.

They currently have 50 to 60 new molecules, with two entering preclinical trials. The goal is to assess their effectiveness in blocking pain development, potentially transforming chronic pain treatment and reducing opioid reliance.

Sources: SciTechDaily

“Those who are preoccupied with ‘making a statement’ usually don’t have any statements worth making.”

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:

• Rare Earths and National Security

• How Trade Wars are Reshaping the US Treasury Market

• The End of the Easy-Money Era

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️