Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Tuesday, 5:16 AM

March 18, 2025

Good morning news friend! Stay curious and explore the trends shaping the world around you. 📰🌟

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 Senate Democrats' spending bill decisions, military action, and role of insurance in natural disasters and more!

Trump and Putin Peace Talks

President Trump will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin today. Trump emphasized that "a lot of work" had been done over the weekend to prepare for these discussions.

The US proposed a 30-day ceasefire proposal with Ukraine. However, Russia rejected this. It insists on a permanent peace agreement and control over 18% of Ukrainian territory it currently occupies, similar in size to Virginia.

Key topics will include discussions about territorial control and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe's largest nuclear facility, which Russia currently occupies.

European allies are ready to deploy peacekeepers if the ceasefire is established.

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

Retail Sales Edge Up

In February, US retail sales rose by 0.2%, a slight recovery from the 1.2% decline in January. Grocery stores, home and garden retailers, and online sales contributed to this marginal growth, while sales at auto dealers and restaurants fell.

Economists anticipate consumer spending will grow by 1% to 1.5% in the first quarter, lower than the previous quarter's 4.2% growth.

Tariffs on imported goods will drive up construction costs, with estimates suggesting home prices could rise between $7,500 to $10,000.

Since December 2020, overall building material costs have surged by 34%. Lumber futures reached $658.71 per thousand board feet on March 4, the highest in over two years.

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

Blacklist Mortgages

Condominium owners across the US face a growing crisis due to a secret mortgage blacklist maintained by Fannie Mae.

This list includes properties that lack adequate insurance or need major repairs. As of January 2025, the blacklist had swelled to 5,175 properties.

Real-estate agents report that condos like Shadow Ridge in California have fallen victim to this blacklist, making it nearly impossible for buyers to secure a mortgage.

Florida has over 1,400 developments blacklisted. California, Texas, and Colorado also face similar challenges due to natural disasters and costly insurance policies.

Sources: WallStreetJournal, Realtor, HousingWire.

Ceasefire Collapses in Gaza

Israel resumed airstrikes across Gaza early Tuesday as efforts to extend a fragile ceasefire failed.

The attacks hit multiple locations, including Rafah, Khan Younis, and Gaza City. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered military action due to Hamas's refusal to release hostages.

The hostages include one American soldier, Edan Alexander. Of the 59 remaining hostages, 24 are believed to be alive. The Israeli military indicated the offensive would expand beyond airstrikes.

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

What Sets Us Apart from Apes

Researchers unveiled unique features in human brains, distinguishing them from those of macaques and chimpanzees.

Key findings show that humans possess distinct brain connections crucial for emotional regulation, social behavior, and language processing. Brain scans revealed pronounced differences in the prefrontal cortex, which governs decision-making and reasoning.

The researchers suggest that emotional and social behaviors could be integral to human evolution, driving unique cognitive capabilities beyond mere intelligence.

Sources: SciTechDaily, Nature, MedicalXpress, ScienceFocus.

The Power of Brown Fat

Researchers found the effects of brown fat on longevity and exercise. Genetically modified mice that lacked the RGS14 protein (resulting in more brown fat) exhibited up to a 30% improvement in exercise capacity compared to normal mice.

These mice also lived 20% longer than their counterparts, with females showing greater longevity, mirroring human patterns.

Brown fat is known for burning calories and improving blood flow to muscles.

The research team aims to develop a medication that mimics these benefits for humans, potentially addressing age-related diseases like obesity and diabetes.

Sources: SciTechDaily, NewsMedical, ZeeNews, StudyFinds.

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Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️