Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Tuesday, 5:14 AM

April 8, 2025

Good morning news friend! Unlock the day’s biggest shifts—stories that move, matter, and make sense of the world.📰🌟

Would you like to see the poll results and comments from our previous edition? Click here to explore how others voted on key issues like the market's reaction to tariffs, jobs surge in March, their opinion about VAT and more!

Trade Tensions with China Heat Up

China vowed to "fight to the end" after President Trump threatened a 50% tariff on Chinese imports. China had already imposed a 34% retaliatory tariff.

Combined US tariffs now total about 104% on Chinese goods, raising prices for American consumers in sectors like clothing and electronics.

In 2024, US-China trade totaled $582 billion, with a trade deficit between $263–$295 billion. China allowed the yuan to weaken past 7.20 per dollar, setting the reference rate at 7.2038—the lowest since September 2023.

Trump also reject a EU proposal for zero-for-zero tariff trade deal, saying the EU must buy $350B of US energy to get tariff relief.

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

Medicare Advantage Payments Surge

The Trump administration will raise Medicare payment rates by 5.06% for 2026, adding over $25 billion—double the 2.23% proposed under Biden.

This move is expected to boost shares of UnitedHealth, Humana, and CVS Health. Mehmet Oz, head of the Medicare agency, supports the increase but criticized "upcoding," which led to over $50 billion in payments from 2019–2021.

CMS will not claw back past payments unless severe fraud is found, helping stabilize provider cash flow.

CMS will also ease restrictions on AI use in Medicare, aiming to improve efficiency in claims processing and care planning.

Sources: WallStreetJournal, StatNews, Bloomberg, Reuters, MKC.

US Credit Spreads Widen

US credit spreads are widening amid recession fears following President Trump’s new tariffs.

No new investment-grade or high-yield bond offerings have appeared for three straight days. Investment-grade spreads rose to 120 basis points, up 24 since last Wednesday—the highest since November 2023.

High-yield spreads reached 461 basis points, up 119, the widest since June 2023, per ICE BAML data. Market volatility has caused firms to delay bond issuance due to high premium costs and weak demand.

Analysts warn high-yield spreads could rise above 8% within a year, up from under 5% today.

Sources: Reuters, Investing, LiveMint, Bloomberg, MarketScreener.

US and Iran Set for Talks in Oman

The US and Iran will hold high-level nuclear talks in Oman on April 12. Trump announced the talks, which Iran confirmed will be indirect.

Trump warned that failure to reach a deal would put Iran "in great danger" and stressed preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

The talks follow Iran's rejection of earlier direct negotiations. This is the first official engagement since the US left the 2015 nuclear deal, after which Iran increased uranium stockpiles.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu supports diplomacy but demands Iran be stopped from developing nuclear weapons. Military action remains a possibility if talks fail.

Sources: BBC, Reuters, APNews, NYTimes, Sky.

"Smart Bomb" Therapy Targets Breast Cancer

Researchers at Michigan State University developed light-activated cyanine-carborane salts for photodynamic therapy (PDT) to target aggressive breast cancer.

In mouse models, the compounds destroyed metastatic tumors with minimal side effects. Unlike traditional PDT, which requires months of light avoidance, these salts clear the body quickly, improving recovery.

The compounds selectively accumulate in cancer cells, sparing healthy tissue. This advancement may also support targeted drug delivery for other cancers.

Sources: SciTechDaily, MSU, WWMT.

Positive Solitude

Americans living alone have nearly doubled over the past 50 years. In 2023, the surgeon general called loneliness an epidemic, yet many still value solitude.

A 2024 survey found 56% of Americans see alone time as essential for mental health. A 2025 study showed news headlines portray solitude negatively 10 times more than positively.

Research finds that meaningful solitude supports emotional balance, clarity, and creativity. These benefits are reduced when time alone is spent on devices.

Older adults often report happiness in solitude, challenging loneliness fears.

Sources: ScienceAlert.

“The weak shows his strength and hides his weaknesses; the magnificent exhibits his weaknesses like ornaments.”

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 Longevity Race

• The Great Retirement Crisis

• Gene Editing

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️