In partnership with

Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Thursday, 5:17 AM

March 13, 2025

Good morning news friend! Stay sharp, stay informed—track the events shaping our world. 📰🌟

Would you like to see the poll results and comments from our previous edition? Click here to see what other readers had to say about: the US stopping and the resuming military aid to Ukraine, the new budget bill, concerns about microplastics and more!

Note: Our aim isn’t to boost or disparage either side of the political spectrum. Our goal is to present the news neutrally. No agendas, no spin, so you can form your own opinions. If you believe in that mission, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Your support makes it possible :)

Rising US Budget Deficit

In February, the US budget deficit reached $307 billion, marking a 4% increase or $11 billion compared to the previous year. This figure is nearly 2.5 times higher than January.

Total receipts for February were at $296 billion, up 9% or $25 billion from February 2024. Outlays surged to $603 billion, also up 6% or $36 billion year-over-year.

For the first five months of fiscal 2025, the total deficit reached $1.147 trillion, reflecting a 38% or $318 billion increase from last year. The year-to-date deficit increased 17% compared to last year.

Treasury's interest costs on public debt totaled $478 billion—a 10% hike, surpassing military spending of $380 billion. The Social Security expenditures grew by 8% to $663 billion.

Sources: Reuters, CNBC, Investing, Bloomberg, ForexLive.

Inflation Eases in February's CPI Report

In February, the consumer price index (CPI) rose 2.8% year-over-year, down from 3% in January. Monthly, prices increased by 0.2%, a slight dip from January's 0.5% spike.

The core CPI, excluding food and energy, increased 3.1% year-over-year, down from 3.3% in January.

Airfares dropped by 4%. Meanwhile, grocery prices were steady, but some categories, such as eggs, surged by 10.4% monthly and were nearly 60% higher than a year ago due to avian flu impacts.

Sources: APNews, Reuters, WallStreetJournal, NYTimes, FinancialTimes.

Google’s New Robotics Models

Google DeepMind unveiled two AI models, Gemini Robotics and Gemini Robotics-ER, set to transform how robots interact with the physical world.

Gemini Robotics introduced vision-language-action capabilities. It has doubled its performance in generalization tasks compared to existing models. This model continuously monitors its environment and makes real-time adjustments.

Gemini Robotics-ER focuses on spatial reasoning. It can autonomously create gripping and movement strategies, demonstrating a 2x-3x success rate over Gemini 2.0 in robot control tasks.

DeepMind is releasing a new ASIMOV dataset to aid in assessing robotic safety risks.

Sources: DeepMind, TRR, TechCrunch, TheVerge, TheDecoder.

China's Deep Ocean Expansion

China is enhancing its ocean exploration capabilities, deploying a fleet of research vessels. These ships provide Beijing with military intelligence to extend its naval reach.

Recent missions, including those of the Xiang Yang Hong 01 and Dong Fang Hong 3, have sparked protests from Japan and India. Over 80% of Chinese-operated research vessels link to military agendas.

They have mapped areas within 200 nautical miles of coastal states, specifically entering India's exclusive economic zone in February 2025. China's deep-sea mining ambitions further complicate regional dynamics.

In the Cook Islands, a partnership with China for oceanographic research could facilitate mineral exploration in a zone covering 700,000 square miles. Such developments triggered concerns from New Zealand.

Sources: WallStreetJournal, LiveMint, TWC.

NASA’s Twin Missions

NASA has launched two missions, SPHEREx and PUNCH, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

SPHEREx, a 178-kilogram observatory, aims to study the universe's origins, mapping 450 million galaxies every six months. It will also search for essential life ingredients, such as frozen water ice and carbon dioxide within the Milky Way.

SPHEREx utilizes spectroscopy to analyze galaxies, providing insights into cosmic evolution influenced by an event nearly 14 billion years ago, known as cosmic inflation.

PUNCH consists of four 40-kilogram satellites that will study solar wind and the Sun’s outer atmosphere. PUNCH will investigate how solar phenomena, including coronal mass ejections, impact space weather, posing risks to astronauts and technology.

Sources: NASA, UniverseMag, SciTechDaily, NDTV.

Cyborg Cockroaches

Scientists developed cyborg cockroaches equipped with lightweight electronics for search-and-rescue missions. These Madagascar hissing cockroaches (Gromphadorhina portentosa) combine nature’s adaptability with technology’s precision.

The researchers successfully tested these cyborgs in obstacle courses. They used a biohybrid behavior-based navigation system, allowing the insects to navigate complex environments.

Cyborg cockroaches can squeeze through tight spaces, handle low-oxygen environments, and provide data on temperature and air quality. They require less energy than traditional robots, making them efficient for long missions.

Engineers programmed basic navigation commands into microcontrollers on the insects’ backs, which issue electrical pulses to guide movement without hindering their natural abilities.

Sources: ScienceAlert, Earth, DailyGalaxy, TechXplore.

“Love without sacrifice is like theft.”

Independent, agenda-free news is rare—and we’re working hard to keep it that way. If you appreciate what we do, click here to become a paid subscriber and help us keep unbiased journalism alive. Every bit helps!

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:

• Cryptocurrencies

• America’s Opioid Crisis

• AI and the Age of Intelligence

• Iran’s Nuclear Program 

We don’t take shortcuts, chase headlines, or push narratives. We just bring you the news, straight and fair. If you value that, click here to become a paid subscriber—your support makes all the difference.

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️