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Anna's Daybreak News

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Tuesday, 5:22 AM

September 9, 2025

Good morning news friend! Track the events shaping today and paving the way for tomorrow.  📰🌟

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Epstein’s 2003 Birthday Book

Congress released Jeffrey Epstein’s 2003 birthday book, containing photos, messages, and letters from figures including Bill Clinton, Alan Dershowitz, Alan Greenberg, and a sexually suggestive letter allegedly from President Trump, which Trump denies signing. The letter refers to Epstein as a “pal” and includes a crude sketch.

Democrats released the book alongside Epstein’s will, contact books, financial records, and his 2007 non-prosecution deal. Republicans have shared over 33,000 pages but resist more disclosure.

Epstein died by suicide in 2019 after sex trafficking charges; Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of recruiting minors. The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Epstein’s estate for more documents amid ongoing bipartisan demands for transparency.

Sources: Reuters, Bloomberg, AP News, WallStreetJournal.

Lumber Market Signals Trouble

Lumber prices have dropped 23% since August 2025, falling to $477 per thousand board feet as of early September. Interfor and Domtar are cutting production by around 12%, idling mills and reducing shifts.

Canadian softwood lumber tariffs rose to about 35%, but price declines mainly stem from weaker housing demand amid high mortgage rates. Private sector job growth slowed to 74,000 monthly in 2025, excluding health services.

Lumber prices, historically a gauge of housing and economic health, now approach pre-COVID levels but remain 75% above 2019. The sharp price drop signals cooling homebuilding activity and broader economic weakness ahead.

Sources: Seekingalpha, Lesprom, Tradingview, WallStreetJournal.

Murdoch Media Empire

Lachlan Murdoch gained control of the Murdoch media empire by securing a $3.3 billion family trust holding 36% of Fox’s Class B stock and 33% of News Corp’s Class B shares.

His sisters Grace and Chloe benefit from the trust, while Prudence, Elisabeth, and James exited, each receiving about $1.1 billion. The siblings sold approximately 31.1 million shares for $1.37 billion.

The agreement ended a legal battle that included failed attempts by Rupert and Lachlan to restrict their siblings’ influence. Lachlan will maintain Fox News’ conservative editorial stance. The deal stabilizes leadership and ideological direction for the family’s media holdings.

Sources: Bloomberg, Reuters, NYTimes, FinancialTimes.

Reading and Math Skills of U.S. 12th Graders Fall to Historic Lows

Recent federal test results show U.S. 12th graders have the lowest reading skills in 30 years, with about one-third below basic proficiency. Many struggle to paraphrase political speeches or identify motives.

Math scores are at their lowest since 2005, with nearly half scoring below basic levels and difficulty in applying percentages to real-life problems. These declines follow the COVID-19 pandemic, with school closures and increased screen time cited as factors.

Only about 33% of seniors possess reading and math skills needed for college. The results raise concerns amid a challenging job market and a complex information environment influenced by artificial intelligence.

Sources: NYTimes, Winchesterstar, WallStreetJournal.

Liquid Battery Slashes Costs

Australian engineers developed a water-based flow battery for home solar storage that costs less than $10,000, undercutting lithium-ion systems.

By redesigning the battery membrane, it achieves fast ion flow and stable operation, running 600 high-current cycles with minimal capacity loss. Made from non-toxic, non-flammable, abundant materials, it offers safer, scalable energy storage.

Monash is 3D printing prototypes and testing them, aiming for market release in a few years. Flow batteries store energy in liquids, enabling cheaper, safer manufacturing compared to solid-state lithium-ion. Monash’s existing 1MWh flow battery supports its goal of energy self-sufficiency by 2030, positioning this as a low-cost, durable solution for residential solar storage.

Sources: SciTechDaily, Monash.

Where Gout Comes From

A 2024 genetic study analyzed 2.6 million people, including 120,295 gout patients, identifying 377 DNA regions linked to gout risk, with 149 newly discovered.

Genetics influence uric acid transport and immune response more than lifestyle factors in gout development. Gout results from uric acid crystals triggering immune attacks in joints, causing pain.

Stigma delays treatment despite effective preventive drugs. The study’s findings aim to shift gout research toward new genetic targets for better therapies.

The research focused mostly on individuals of European descent and included self-reported data but offers robust evidence to reshape healthcare approaches for gout.

Sources: Sciencealert.

“A man who gets a little bit of authority and then makes himself as unapproachable as a snapping turtle generally does so because he's afraid you'll find out he's not as important as his title is. ”

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 Attention War on Your Brain

• Inflammation Crisis

• AI Proof Professionals

• AI & the Future of White-Collar Work

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️

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