Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Friday, 5:09 AM

March 21, 2025

Good morning news friend! Step into the flow of change with the stories moving the world forward.📰🌟

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 Europe’s massive defense plan, drug policy, the Fed’s decision to keep rates steady and more!

Trump Dismantles Education Department

President Trump’s executive order aims to dismantle the Department of Education. Trump directed Secretary Linda McMahon to facilitate the closure as much as legally possible.

The department oversees $1.7 trillion in student loans and administers $31 billion in Pell Grants for low-income students. It also provides funding for students with disabilities and manages federal aid for 100,000 public schools.

Trump seeks to shift control of education to states and local communities. Closing the department entirely requires congressional approval, which is unlikely without bipartisan support.

Federal funding constitutes 10-14% of public school budgets.

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

Home Sales Rise

In February, US existing-home sales increased 4.2% to an annual rate of 4.26 million, surpassing expectations. This marks the first monthly rise in two months.

Yet, sales are down 1.2% compared to February 2024, breaking a four-month streak of yearly gains. Homes typically sold in 42 days, compared to 38 days a year prior.

The national median home price reached $398,400, a 3.8% rise from last year and the highest recorded for February. Current mortgage rates hovered around 6.65%.

Inventory improved, with 1.24 million homes available, a 5.1% increase from January and a 17% jump from last year. First-time buyers made up 31% of sales.

Sources: WallStreetJournal, BankRate, Reuters, APNews, Realtor.

Tesla's Cybertruck Recall

Tesla is recalling nearly all Cybertrucks (46,100 vehicles) produced from November 13, 2023, to February 27, 2025, due to a safety issue.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that a stainless steel trim panel can detach while driving, posing a crash risk.

Tesla noted 151 warranty claims concerning this issue, though no injuries or collisions have been reported.

The adhesive used for the cant rail is prone to environmental embrittlement. Tesla will replace the faulty trim with a reinforced assembly using a more durable adhesive.

Sources: Reuters, NYTimes, TheRegister, Fortune, APNews.

Extermination Ranch in Mexico

Mexican authorities have uncovered a chilling site linked to drug cartels in Teuchitlán, Jalisco. This alleged extermination camp contains horrific evidence of violence.

Investigators found over 1,300 objects, including human remains, bone fragments, personal items like clothing, children's toys, and even cremation ovens.

The discovery has raised fears about the 120,000 people reported missing in Mexico. The Jalisco New Generation cartel denies the allegations and has attempted to undermine the searchers looking for missing loved ones.

Sources: Reuters, FinancialTimes, Bloomberg, Faharas, NYPost.

Secrets of Infant Memory

A study revealed that infants as young as 12 months can encode memories, challenging the accepted idea of infantile amnesia.

The study involved 26 infants aged 4 to 25 months, who viewed images while their brain activity was monitored using fMRI.

Older infants (over 12 months) exhibited significant hippocampal activity, indicating successful memory encoding. These memories can last, but accessing them becomes difficult as neural pathways change.

Sources: SciTechDaily, TN, ScienceFocus, ScienceNews, MedicalXpress.

Targeting Lyme Disease

Scientists identified an enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase (BbLDH) as a crucial target for new therapies to treat Lyme disease.

BbLDH has an essential role in the growth and infectivity of the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, responsible for Lyme disease.

Researchers conducted loss-of-function experiments that showed BbLDH’s importance for the bacterium's survival both in lab cultures and live hosts.

Through high-throughput screening, they discovered potential inhibitors that could lead to effective treatments.

Sources: SciTechDaily, DiscoverMag, Phys.

“A good maxim allows you to have the last word without even starting a conversation.”

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:

• Quantum Computing

• Cryptocurrencies

• America’s Opioid Crisis

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️