Anna's Daybreak News

_{Just facts, you think for yourself}

Thursday, 5:19 AM

July 17, 2025

Good morning news friend! Follow the sparks of today’s events as they ignite the future. 📰🌟

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Trump Escalates Tariffs

President Trump will notify over 150 countries of potential tariff increases to 10% or 15%, expanding trade barriers. Concurrently, he has softened his approach toward China, seeking a summit with Xi Jinping to finalize a trade deal.

Canada is considering export limits on softwood lumber to ease U.S. trade tensions, with British Columbia’s premier viewing this as a preliminary step toward resolution.

Imports from Japan and South Korea will face a 25% tariff starting August 1, while the EU risks a 30% tariff if no deal is reached.

The U.S. trade deficit is $1.2 trillion. Trade talks advance: a deal with India is near, and negotiations continue with the EU and Canada.

Sources: Bloomberg, Bloomberg, Bloomberg, Reuters, Reuters.

What Went Wrong on Air India Flight 171?

Air India Flight 171 crashed after takeoff near Ahmedabad, killing 241 passengers and 19 on the ground. The Boeing 787’s captain switched the fuel cutoff switches off shortly after liftoff, then back on about 10 seconds later, causing power loss.

The first officer questioned the action, but the captain denied it. Both pilots had extensive experience. Investigators ruled out mechanical failure and have not determined if the fuel cutoff was accidental or intentional.

FAA and Boeing found no safety issues with fuel switch locks. The crash reignited debates over cockpit video recorders, with advocates citing safety and opponents citing privacy. The investigation is ongoing.

Sources: Reuters, Bloomberg, Arabnews, WallStreetJournal.

Couche-Tard Drops $47 Billion Bid for 7 Eleven

Alimentation Couche-Tard dropped its $47 billion bid to acquire Seven & i Holdings, citing uncooperative negotiations and withheld information. The offer, up to 2,600 yen per share, implied a 47.6% premium but was rejected by Seven & i, which plans share buybacks and a North American business listing. Seven & i’s shares fell 9% after the announcement. The 7-Eleven chain operates over 85,000 stores globally; Couche-Tard runs nearly 17,000. New CEO Stephen Dacus, appointed in May 2025, doubled quarterly profits to 49 billion yen aided by property sales. Proposed alternative deals stalled. The failed bid underscores challenges for foreign firms entering Japan’s retail sector and raises corporate reform questions.

Sources: Reuters, AP News, Bloomberg, NYTimes.

JPMorgan Chase Dominates US Banking

JPMorgan Chase earned $30 billion in profit in H1 2025, doubling its nearest competitor's earnings. Its market value now exceeds the combined values of Bank of America, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo.

JPMorgan leads in investment banking revenue, holding $1 trillion more in assets than any other U.S. bank after acquiring First Republic Bank. Wells Fargo raised its asset cap, and Citigroup posted its highest quarterly revenue in over a decade. Goldman Sachs expanded its equities trading lead.

CEO Jamie Dimon highlighted growing fintech threats targeting payments and rewards systems, fueled by renewed cryptocurrency interest. Despite dominance, JPMorgan remains cautious amid rising competition from traditional banks and fintech challengers.

Sources: BusinessTimes, Bloomberg.

Revolutionizing Plastics

Researchers developed a scalable method to produce bacterial cellulose sheets using rotational fluid flow, aligning nanofibrils for enhanced strength and stability. Adding boron nitride nanosheets boosts tensile strength to 553 MPa and triples heat dissipation.

The material combines high strength, flexibility, foldability, transparency, and mechanical durability. Applications include packaging, disposable water bottles, wound dressings, textiles, electronics, and energy storage.

The single-step bio-fabrication process guides bacterial motion to control cellulose production precisely. This approach offers a biodegradable, strong alternative to petroleum-based plastics, addressing plastic pollution through interdisciplinary biology, materials science, and nanoengineering.

Sources: SciTechDaily, Uh, Azocleantech.

Cannabis Leaves a Lasting Epigenetic Mark

Long-term cannabis use alters DNA methylation, affecting gene regulation without changing the DNA sequence. Researchers identified dozens of epigenetic markers linked to cumulative and recent cannabis use, some overlapping with tobacco-related markers like AHRR cg05575921.

These changes associate with genes involved in immune function, hormone regulation, neurological disorders, and substance use. Quitting cannabis gradually reverses these epigenetic effects, which are generally smaller than those caused by tobacco.

Findings suggest smoke inhalation drives these changes rather than THC alone. While not proving causation, the research highlights a biological signature of cannabis exposure that may influence health over time and could support future blood tests monitoring cannabis effects.

Sources: Sciencealert, News-Medical, Bgr, Vice.

“But when your luck sours, the wisest move on God's green earth is to stand up from the table and take a quiet walk, because trying to argue with a losing streak is the surest way to go home without your pants.”

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 American Healthcare System

• The Social Security Crisis - Anatomy of a Shortfall

• America’s Housing Paradox - An Analysis of the US Housing Market

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️