Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Friday, 5:12 AM

March 14, 2025

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

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Putin’s Ceasefire Talks

Russian officials stated they had retaken Sudzha in Kursk. Ukraine’s military now holds less than 200 square kilometers—down from 1,300 square kilometers in 2024.

Putin expressed conditional support for a proposed 30-day ceasefire, emphasizing it must lead to lasting peace. He noted the importance of addressing the root causes of the conflict, mainly the NATO question.

Senate Republicans urged President Trump to impose tougher sanctions if Russia rejects the ceasefire. Senator Mike Rounds asserted, “Putin deserves more pressure than Ukraine.”

Similarly, Senator Lindsey Graham plans to introduce harsh sanctions targeting the Kremlin. Ukraine's President Zelenskyy accused Putin of stalling for time while continuing attacks.

Sources: WallStreetJournal, WallStreetJournal[2], APNews, Reuters, Bloomberg, FinancialTimes.

Economic Currents

US producer prices remained unchanged in February, marking a pause after seven months of increases. Year-on-year, the Producer Price Index (PPI) rose by 3.2%, down from 3.7% in January.

Wholesale egg prices surged 53.6%, contributing to a 0.3% increase in goods prices, while energy prices fell by 1.2%. Core goods prices increased by 0.4%, marking the largest rise in two years.

Weekly jobless claims fell by 2,000 to 220,000, while continuing claims decreased by 27,000 to 1.870 million.

The European Union countered with €26 billion in tariffs on US goods, prompting further retaliatory measures.

Sources: Reuters, Reuters[2], Bloomberg, RTTN, Equiti, FxStreet .

US Sanctions on Russian Energy Firms

The US Treasury confirmed the expiration of General License 8L, allowing wind-down transactions with Russian banks. The Biden administration issued the license as part of its toughest sanctions against Russia.

These sanctions target major Russian banks, including Sberbank and VTB, and prohibit dollar transactions with firms like Gazprom Neft and Surneftegas.

They also affect 183 vessels involved in transporting Russian oil. The goal is to cut off revenue streams supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

US Treasury Secretary Bessent stated that these sanctions are ineffective and overly focused on keeping oil prices low. The Treasury emphasized its commitment to maintaining sanctions as a key strategy in resolving the conflict.

Sources: Reuters, Investing, TradingView, DD.

Meta's Community Notes Test

Meta will launch its Community Notes feature in the US on March 18. The system allows users to write and rate notes on content across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Around 200,000 users have signed up to contribute.

Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated the change aims to reduce perceived bias in fact-checking. Community Notes will use an open-source algorithm from the X platform.

Notes will be capped at 500 characters and must include a supporting link. The system ensures that notes only appear if contributors with differing views agree that they provide valuable context.

The feature will initially support six languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, French, and Portuguese.

Sources: Reuters, SilliconValley, Meta, Gizmodo, TechCo, Forbes.

Pancreatic Cancer's Secret Weapon

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers, with a five-year survival rate of only 13%. Research revealed that extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) plays a crucial role in its aggressiveness.

This circular DNA allows tumor cells to adapt to environmental stress, which enhances their growth and survival. ecDNA is present in about 15% of patient samples but is linked to more aggressive disease.

Researchers discovered variability in MYC copy numbers within cancer cells. Some cells had dozens or even hundreds of MYC copies, providing them with a survival advantage.

Cells with ecDNA can change their dependency on vital growth factors, becoming self-sufficient. High levels of MYC also led to aggressive structural changes in tumor cells.

Sources: SciTechDaily, Nature, GN.

Risks of Hair Loss Medications

Finasteride, also known as Propecia, has been prescribed for over 30 years. Recent data shows that 175,000 prescriptions were written monthly in the U.S. in 2024.

FDA labeling has evolved to include warnings about sexual side effects and suicidal ideation. Despite these developments, telehealth companies, like Hims, are not required to disclose these risks in their advertisements.

Many young men report experiencing anxiety, dizziness, and sexual dysfunction within days of taking the drug.

Hims generated $1.5 billion in revenue last year from over 2 million customers. Around 4% of users may experience adverse effects.

Sources: WallStreetJournal, TT, ConsumerAffairs, TipRanks.

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Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️